Skip to main content

Full text of "History of Beverly : civil and ecclesiastical : from its settlement in 1630 to 1842"

See other formats 


.o^-^4^^ 


'•^863 


DATE  DUE                         1 

UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
LIBRARY 


F 

74 

B35 

58 

1975 


CARD 


HISTORY  OF  BEVERLY 


Reprinted  by  the  Friends  of  the  Beverly  Public  Library  in 
commemoration  of  the  American  Revolutionary  Bicentennial. 
Beverly,  Massachusetts  1975. 


This  reprint  edition  is  limited  to  one  thousand  copies,  of 
which  this  is  ^^    ^^ 

No sJT.^^ 


Deschamps  Printing  Co.,  Inc. 

3  Dodge  Street 

Salem,  Mass. 

19 


HISTORY  OF  BEVERLY, 


CIVIL  AxND  ECCLESIASTICAL, 


FROM  ITS   SETTLEMENT  IN  1630  TO  1842. 


BY    EDWIN    M.    STONE. 


BOSTON: 

JAMES    MUNROE    AND    COMPANY 
1843, 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress, 

By  Edwin  M.  Sto/ie, 

In  tlie  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


I)  U  T  T  0  N    AND    W  E  N  T  W  0  R  T  H  '  3 
Printins-House. 


PREFACE. 


It  is  gratifying  to  perceive  that  the  interest  of  late  awakened 
in  town  histories  is  increasing.  Until  each  town  in  the  Common- 
wealth shall  have  had  its  historian,  the  most  accurate  history  of 
Massachusetts  will  remain  to  be  written.  It  is  to  be  regret- 
ted that  the  work,  in  which  for  six  months  I  have  been  cor^tantly 
engaged,  had  not  been  undertaken  at  an  earlier  period.  Had  it 
been  written  at  the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  many 
most  interesting  incidents,  recorded  only  in  the  memory  of  aged 
inhabitants,  would  have  been  preserved,  which  are  now  irrecover- 
ably lost. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  volume,  I  have  made  a  thorougli 
examination  of  the  town  records,  the  State  archives,  the  collec- 
tions of  several  historical  societies,  and  a  large  number  of  private 
papers,  amounting  in  all  to  nearly  twenty  thousand  manuscript 
pages.  Much  information  has  also  been  obtained  from  individu- 
als who  were  contemporaries  of  the  Revolution,  and  from  others 
whose  antiquariscn  research  has  been  minute  and  successful.  My 
other  principal  authorities  are  Hutchinson's  and  Hubbard's  Histo- 
ries, Felt's  Annals  of  Salem,  and  the  Massachusetts  Historical 
Society's  Collections.  But  with  all  my  care,  it  is  possible  some 
resource  has  remained  undiscovered,  though  it  is  confidently  be- 
lieved no  material  documentary  fact  has  been  overlooked. 

A  considerable  number  of  the  following  pages  will  be  found 
under  the  ecclesiastical  head.     For  the  sake  of  unity,  this  portion 


]V  PREFACE. 

of  the  history  has  been  separated  from  that  belonging  more  strict- 
ly to  the  civil  department ;  and  witli  which,  until  the  formation  of 
the  second  parish  in  1713,  it  was  blended.  In  preparing  the 
ecclesiastical  history,  I  have  had  access  to  the  parish  and  church 
records  of  the  several  religious  societies.  From  these  I  have 
drawn  such  matter  only  as  seemed  proper  to  a  work  of  this  char- 
acter, and  with  that  I  have  interwoven  materials  placed  at  my 
command  by  members  of  the  different  congregations. 

It  was  a  part  of  my  original  design  to  furnish  genealogical 
tables  of  all  the  families  represented  by  the  signers  of  the  petition 
for  the  first  church,  in  1666 ;  but  a  few  days  of  laborious  investi- 
gation convinced  me  that  such  a  plan  was  impracticable,  and  I 
have  confined  a  detailed  genealogy  to  the  principal  founders  of 
the  town. 

To  Hon.  Robert  Rantoul,  whose  long  connexion  with  the  pub- 
lic affairs  of  the  town,  together  with  much  investigation,  has 
made  him  familiar  with  its  early  history,  I  am  greatly  indebted, 
both  for  the  free  use  of  his  manuscript  lectures  on  Beverly,  deliv- 
ered before  the  lyceum  in  1830,  '31  and  '32,  and  for  other  very 
valuable  assistance. 

To  Rev.  Christopher  T.  Thayer,  also,  I  am  obligated  for  vari- 
ous interesting  materials,  and  other  important  service,  as  well  as 
for  a  generous  interest  taken  in  the  enterprize  from  its  commence- 
ment. My  acknowledgments  are  likewise  due  to  Hon.  George 
Bancroft  and  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Felt,  of  Boston,  Samuel  F.  Haven, 
Esq.,  librarian  of  tlie  American  Antiquarian  Society,  at  Worces- 
ter, and  to  many  gentlemen  of  this  town,  who  have  kindly  aided 
my  inquiries. 

E.  M.  S. 

Beverly,  1842. 


HISTORY  OF  BEVERLY. 


TOPOGRAPHY 


Beverly,  in  Essex  county,  Massachusetts,  is  in 
north  latitude  42^  36',  and  longitude  70^  53',  west 
of  London.  It  is  situated  on  Massachusetts  Bay, 
16^0^0  miles  from  Boston,^  and  20  from  Newbury- 
port.  The  bordering  towns  are  Salem,  Danvers, 
Wenham  and  Manchester.  It  is  about  20  miles  dis- 
tant from  the  extreme  point  of  Cape  Ann,  and  45 
miles  from  the  point  of  Cape  Cod.  Its  greatest  length 
in  a  direct  line  from  the  brick  factory  at  Frost  Fish- 
brook,  the  boundary  towards  Danvers  on  the  west, 
to  Chubb's  Creek,  the  boundary  towards  Manchester 
on  the  east, is  about  6|  miles  ;  audits  greatest  width, 
from  Tuck's  Point,  opposite  Salem,  on  the  south,  to 
Wenham  line  on  the  north,  is  about  3J  miles.  Its 
average  length  is  about  5|  miles,  and  its  width 
about  2|. 

The  soil  of  Beverly  is  yellow  loam  and  gravel, 
mixed  with  veins  of  clay  and  sand.     Clay  suitable 

*  This  distance  is  measured  from  the  City  Hall,  in  Boston,  by  the 
Salem  Turnpike,  to  the  First  Parish  meeting-house. 
1 


2  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

for  coarse  pottery  and  bricks,  is  found  in  many  parts 
of  the  town,  and  the  coarse  sand  from  West's  and 
other  beaches,  affords  considerable  employment  to 
vessels  in  which  it  is  transported  to  Boston  for  sale. 
From  the  beach  between  Paul's  Head  and  Curtis 
Woodberry's  Point,  black  sand,  for  the  supply  of 
stationers'  shops,  has  been  obtained  in  considerable 
quantities.  Being  somewhat  impure,  from  mixture 
of  other  sand,  it  is  separated  by  the  use  of  magnets 
which  strongly  attract  the  black.  Several  quarries 
furnish  an  abundance  of  granite  for  cellar  and  sea 
walls,  fences,  &c. ;  but,  owing  to  its  hardness  and 
darker  color  when  hammered,  it  is  less  valued  for 
buildings  than  the  stone  obtained  at  Rockport.  Green 
felspar  has  been  found  embedded  in  other  stone.  In 
1824,  some  fine  specimens  were  obtained  from  an 
excavation  made  in  the  lot  of  land  adjoining  the 
southerly  side  of  the  common,  which  were  distributed 
among  most  of  the  public  mineralogical  collections  in 
this  country. 

The  surface  of  Beverly  is  hilly.  There  is  much 
rocky  and  unproductive  land,  yielding  poor  pastur- 
age ;  but  there  is  also  a  good  portion  of  valuable  and 
fertile  soil,  adapted  to  the  production  of  English  hay, 
Indian  corn,  rye,  oats,  barley,  potatoes,  and  various 
kinds  of  vegetables  and  fruits.  Much  of  the  soil  is 
also  adapted  to  the  growth  of  wheat ;  but  the  uncer- 
tainty of  the  crop,  resulting  from  mildew,  will  prob- 
ably prevent  any  general  attention  to  its  culture. 

The  principal  wood  is  pine,  oak,  walnut,  white 
maple,  birch  and  hemlock.  There  is  also  some  elm, 
cherry,  butternut,  red  larch,  balm  of  Gilead,  sassa- 
fras, red  and  white  cedar,  with  many  varieties  of 
smaller  growth.     It  is  supposed  that  there  is  more 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  6 

wood  standing  now  within  the  hmits  of  the  town, 
than  there  was  thirty  or  forty  years  ago,  an  increased 
attention  having  been  given  to  its  growth  and  preser- 
vation. Many  of  the  low  meadows  abound  in  peat, 
which,  at  present,  is  less  used  for  fuel  than  it  will  be 
when  the  importation  of  wood  from  Maine,  the  great 
wood  lot  for  all  the  sea-ports  of  Massachusetts,  be- 
comes more  expensive. 

Of  shrubs,  many  of  which  are  valuable  for  their 
medicinal  properties,  may  be  mentioned  the  thorn,  two 
kinds  of  dog-wood,  fever-bush,  alder,  high  blueberry, 
whortleberry,  savin,  barberry,  sweet  fern,  elder, 
bayberry,  and  laurel.  The  mountain  laurel,  which  is 
here  very  abundant,  is  one  of  the  most  elegant  shrubs. 
Its  leaves  are  glossy  and  evergreen ;  and  its  flowers, 
which  appear  in  June,  grow  in  beautiful  clusters, 
varying  in  their  complexion  from  white  to  rose. 
There  is  also  a  dwarf  laurel  familiarly  known  as 
la?7ib  kill,  bearing  clusters  of  delicate  rose-colored 
flowers  ;  bat  being  common  it  attracts  little  admira- 
tion. The  barberry  bush  bears  a  sensitive  flower, 
which,  if  touched  on  the  inside,  immediately  closes. 

Beverly  is  by  no  means  destitute  of  interest  to  the 
votaries  of  Flora.  Of  the  flowers  and  flowering 
shrubs  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  catalogued  by  Big- 
elow,  a  very  large  number  have  been  identified  in 
this  town  by  those  skilled  in  botany ;  and  probably 
many  more  may  be  found  which  have  not  fallen  in 
the  way  of  desultory  observation.  Besides  those 
already  named,  the  Side-Saddle  flower,  the  Cardinal 
flower,  so  highly  prized  in  Europe,  the  Swamp  Pink. 
the  bulbous  Arethusa,  the  side-flowering  Scullcapf 
recommended  as  a  specific  for  hydrophobia,  the  modest 
Violet  family,  the  Ladies'  Slipper,  the  Marsh  Marigold, 


4  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

the  Canadian  Rhodora,  the  Crane's-bill  and  Solomon's 
Seal,  the  sweet-scented  Water  Lily,  the  Autumnal 
and  veiny-leaved  Hawkweed,  the  Buckbean  and  wild 
Primrose;  the  scarlet  Pimpernel,  the  Eglantine,  and 
many  others,  are  here  found  in  great  profusion,  beau- 
tifying nature,  and  impregnating  the  atmosphere  with 
a  delicious  fragrance,  themselves 

"  But  bright  thoughts  syllabled  to  shape  and  hue, 
The  tongue  that  erst  was  spoken  by  the  elves, 
When  tenderness  as  yet  within  the  world  was  new." 

The  fields  and  woods  furnish  the  whole  tribe  of  use- 
ful "  roots  and  herbs,"  decoctions  of  which,  when 
seasonably  administered,  are  often  a  sufficient  sub- 
stitute for  more  formidable  medical  prescriptions. 

Beverly  is  well  watered  by  springs  and  brooks, 
though  it  cannot  boast  of  any  considerable  streams. 
Bass  or  Naumkeag  river^  takes  its  rise  near  the  west- 
ern boundary  of  the  first  parish,  and  after  running  in 
a  south-westerly  course  about  a  mile  and  a  half,  unites 
at  Ellingwood's  Point  with  Porter's  river.  These  wa- 
ters form  Beverly  harbor.  The  noticeable  brooks 
are,  Alewife  brook,  emptying  into  Ipswich  river, — 
one  near  the  East  Farms  school-house,  which  carries 
a  saw-mill  a  part  of  the  year, — and  those  running 
under  Hart's  and  Thissel's  bridges,  each  of  which 
formerly  supported  a  grist  mill.  Near  Frost  Fish 
brook,  and  adjacent  to  the  bridge  in  Conant  street, 
the  late  William  Burley,  during  the  last  war,  erect- 
ed a  brick  factory  for  manufacturing  cotton  cloth ; 
but  a  deficiency  of  water,  combined  with  other  cir- 
cumstances, induced  an  abandonment  of  the  project. 

^he  most  considerable  pond  within  the  limits  of 
Beverly,  is  Beaver  pond,  situated  about  two  hundred 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  O 

rods  south  of  Wenham  line,  and  about  half  a  mile 
east  of  Brimble  Hill.  It  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water, 
covering  about  20  acres,  and  affords  Perch,  Yellow 
Shiners,  Eels,  Pickerel,  and  a  shell-fish  resembling 
the  Muscle  of  the  seashore.  Another  small  sheet  of 
water,  called  Round  pond,  is  in  the  second  parish, 
near  the  "Baker  Tavern,"  and  a  few  rods  east 
of  the  road  to  Newburyport.  It  covers,  perhaps,  half 
an  acre,  and  its  circular  margin  is  deeply  fringed 
with  high  blueberry  and  other  shrubs.  It  is  said  to 
be  very  deep,  and  no  fish  are  known  to  exist  there. 
It  is  probable  that,  at  a  remote  period,  the  water  cov- 
ered the  entire  swamp  in  the  midst  of  which  it  lies 
concealed,  and  which  now  sustains  a  large  growth 
of  wood. 

The  only  mineral  spring  known  in  Beverly,  is 
situated  near  the  western  foot  of  Snake  Hill.  From 
its  chalybeate  impregnation,  it  is  called  Iron  Mine 
Spring.  Iron  ore  is  found  near  this  spring,  and  for 
a  time  was  worked,  but  not  with  sufficient  profit  to 
warrant  a  continuance  of  the  business.  The  water 
has  been  used  medicinally,  but  its  effect  has  not  been 
sufficiently  powerful  to  attract  much  the  attention  of 
invalids. 

Water  from  wells  in  this  town,  is  obtained  in  great 
abundance,  and  of  excellent  quality.  Those  sunk 
in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  or  between  the  rise  of 
land  near  the  harbor,  and  twenty  rods  northerly  of 
the  first  parish  meeting-house,  are  from  forty  to  fifty- 
three  feet  in  depth.  In  other  parts  of  the  town,  water  is 
obtained  by  sinking  a  shaft  from  ten  to  thirty  feet.  A 
proprietors'  well,  opposite  the  Bank,  fifty-three  feet  ih 
depth,  was  built  about  sixty  years  ago,  at  an  expanse 
of  more  than  eleven  hundred  dollars.  Another  pro- 
1# 


b  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

prietors'  well  at  the  corner  of  Bartlett  and  Cabot 
streets,  was  also  sunk  at  great  cost. 

The  principal  eminences  in  the  town,  are  Browne, 
Brimble,  Cue,  Snake,  Prospect,  Christian,  and  Bald 
hills — on  the  latter  of  which,  the  town,  in  1705, 
granted  Samuel  Corning  liberty  to  build  awind  mill. 
Browne  hill  received  its  name  from  the  Hon.  Wil- 
liam Browne,  a  wealthy  citizen  of  Salem,  who  owned 
the  estate  extending  to  the  lane  near  the  corner  of 
Liberty  and  Conant  streets.  He  was  the  son  of  Hon. 
Samuel  and  Abigail  Browne,  and  was  born  May  7th, 
1709.  He  was  educated  at  Harvard  University, 
where  he  graduated  in  1727.  In  1737,  he  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Governor  Burnet,  who  died  July 
31,  1745.  His  second  wife  was  Mary,  daughter  of 
Philip  French,  Esq.,  of  Brunswick,  N.  J.  He  had 
eight  children,  and  during  his  life-time  filled  the  offi- 
ces of  Justice  of  the  Sessions  Court,  Representative  in 
the  General  Court,  and  member  of  the  Executive 
Council. 

Aboilt  1750,  Mr.  Browne  erected  a  splendid  man- 
sion on  the  summit  of  this  hill,  to  which  he  gave  the 
name  of  "  Browne  Hall,  "  after  a  place  in  Lanca- 
shire, England,  that  belonged  to  his  ancestors.  This 
building  consisted  of  two  wings,  two  stories  high,  con- 
nected by  a  spacious  hall,  the  whole  presenting  a  front 
of  seventy  feet.  The  floor  of  the  hall  was  painted  in 
imitation  of  mosaick,  and  springing  from  the  wall 
was  a  commodious  circular  gallery.  Adjacent  to  the 
house,  was  a  building  occupied  solely  by  the  domes- 
tics, all  of  whom  were  blacks.  The  dwelling  was 
finished  in  the  most  thorough  and  costly  manner,  and 
was  furnished  in  a  style  corresponding  with  the 
wealth  of  its  owner.     This  hall  was  the  scene  of 


HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY.  7 

many  magnificent  entertainments — and  on  one  occa- 
sion an  ox  was  roasted  whole  and  served  up  to  a 
numerous  dinner  party.  The  farmhouse  stood  at- 
the  foot  or  the  hill.  About  1761,  Mr.  Browne  re- 
moved this  delightful  residence  from  the  hill  to  a 
site  near  Liberty  corner.  He  lived  but  about  two 
years  after,  and  expired  suddenly  in  his  field,  of 
apoplexy,  April  27th,  1703,  aged  54.  A  manuscript 
note  in  the  Archives  of  the  Worcester  Antiquarian 
Society,  says  :  "He  was  a  most  polite  gentleman, 
well  read  in  history  and  geography."  He  bequeath- 
ed a  gilt  cup  to  his  son  William,  which  once  belonged 
to  the  lady  of  Bishop  Burnet,  and  £1000  old  tenor 
to  a  society  in  England  for  propagating  the  gospel 
among  the  American  Indians.  After  Mr.  Browne's 
decease,  the  estate  became  the  property  of  Richard 
Derby,  Esq.,  of  Salem.  During  his  occupancy  of  it, 
February  22d,  1790,  the  barn  was  burned,  and  thirty- 
six  head  of  cattle  with  it.  The  estate  was  subse- 
quently purchased  by  the  late  William  Burley,  who 
disposed  of  the  mansion,  which  was  removed  in  parts 
by  several  purchasers. 


^Tl©-^^!.    \^^l.U 


From  this  hill,  opens  to  the  beholder  a  prospect  of 
surpassing  beauty  and  grandeur.     His  eye  scans  an 


8  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

immense  panorama  of  hill  and  dale,  of  forest  and 
lawn,  teeming  with  animation,  and  sending  up  to  his 
ear  the  hum  of  busy  life — the  lowing  of  herds  and 
the  cheerful  notes  of  the  feathered  tribes,  blending 
rural  sounds  with  the  bustle  of  town  and  city.  Be- 
fore him,  Beverly  spreads  out  as  a  map,  dotted  with 
churches  and  school-houses — those  objects  here  in 
New  England,  so  happily  and  gloriously  united,  and 
that  bring  to  his  mind's  vision  the  spirit  of  puritan 
forecast,  which  provided  simultaneously  for  the  cul- 
ture of  the  intellect  and  the  improvement  of  the  heart. 
A  little  to  the  north  lies  Wenham,  with  its  charming 
lake  ;  and  still  further  on,  the  solitary  spire  of  Ham- 
ilton church  is  seen,  pointing  heavenward,  and  reliev- 
ed by  the  rich  back-ground  of  Ipswich  hills.  Turning 
himself  slowly  round,  his  eyes  rest  successively  on 
the  valley  of  Topsfield,  remarkable  for  the  superior 
intensity  of  its  atmospheric  light,  while  the  far-away 
mountains  veil  their  heads  in  clouds — on  Dan  vers 
Plains,  the  Salem  Village  of  "  the  olden  time,"  whose 
proverbial  enterprize  has  obliterated  almost  every 
memorial  of  the  painful  and  fatal  scenes  of  witch- 
craft-folly— on  Salem,  the  city  of  peace,  where  the 
godly  Higginson  planted  and  nurtured  the  vine 
whose  prolific  energy  fruited  the  New  England 
churches  —  on  Marblehead,  with  its  iron-bound 
shore,  emblematical  of  the  hardy  spirit  of  its  enter- 
prizing  and  patriotic  inhabitants,  and  to  promote  the 
moral  good  of  whom,  the  pious  Avery  encountered  a 
watery  grave ;  and,  finally,  to  perfect  the  view,  on 
Massachusetts  Bay,  which,  flashing  with  silvery 
*light,  tossing  in  giant  sportiveness  her  glittering 
foam-cap  aloft,  mingling  her  charms  with  indented 
shores,  rugged  promontories,  and  countless  patches  of 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  \9 

russet  and  green,  and  bearing  on  her  proudly  heaving 
bosom,  the  sails  of  many  and  distant  climes,  stretches 
out  and  out,  as  if  to  mock  the  feebleness  of  sight, 
until  she  receives  and  reciprocates  the  embrace  of 
the  mighty  Atlantic. 

A  prospect,  of  nearly  equal  beauty,  is  afforded 
from  Cherry  Hill,  formerly  the  estate  of  the  late  Jo- 
seph White,  of  Salem,  but  now  the  property  of  Capt. 
John  Hammond.  Its  proximity  to  Wenham  Pond,=^ 
one  hundred  and  seven  acres  of  which  lie  within 
the  limits  of  Beverly,  the  distant  view  of  the  ocean, 
the  various  scenery  of  the  surrounding  country,  com- 
bine, with  the  salubrity  of  its  situation,  to  render  it 
one  of  the  most  desirable  residences  in  this  vicinity. 
The  mansion,  as  seen  through  a  long  avenue  of  fruit 
trees,  shaded  at  its  upper  termination  by  two  finely 
branching  elms,  presents  a  handsome  appearance; 
and  from  its  top  Capt.  White,  with  the  aid  of  a  glass, 
frequently  descried  his  vessels  making  the  port  of 
Salem  before  their  approach  was  known  in  the  city. 
A  delightful  and  extensive  view  of  the  harbor  and 
adjacent  region  is  had  from  the  summer-house  in  the 

*  The  surface  of  this  beautiful  sheet  of  water  measures  320 
acres,  and  is  34  feet  higher  than  the  flow  of  the  tide  at  the  head 
of  Bass  river.  It  is  well  stored  with  fish,  and  is  much  resorted  to 
by  the  lovers  of  piscatory  amusements.  Alewives  formerly  came  up 
to  this  pond  to  spawn,  but  the  dam  on  Ipswich  river,  and  other  ob- 
structions, have  nearly  stopped  their  access  to  it.  The  water  is  very 
pure,  and  the  proximity  of  the  rail-road  affords  facilities  for  profita- 
ble engagement  in  the  ice  business  during  the  winter  months.  On 
the  northern  side  of  this  pond  is  a  conical  hill,  called  Peters'  Pulpit. 
It  is  said  Hugh  Peters,  one  of  the  early  ministers  of  the  First  Church 
in  Salem,  once  addressed  a  large  audience  from  its  top.  His  text 
was,  John  iii.  23,  "  At  Enon,  near  Salem,  because  there  was  much 
water  there."  Enon  was  the  original  name  of  Wenham,  and  the 
territory  of  Salem,  at  that  time,  joined  it. 


10  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

garden  of  Mr.  George  Brown,  from  the  cupola  of 
Bell's  building,  and  from  various  other  points.  The 
picturesque  view  afforded  from  Elhngwood's  Point, 
is  unsurpassed  by  any  water  prospect  in  this  vicin- 
ity;  and  the  admirer  of  nature,  who  stands  on  Paul's 
Head,  at  the  opening  and  ^ close  of  day,  will  see  the 
sun  rise  from  his  watery  bed  with  a  glory,  and  de- 
scend behind  the  western  hills  with  a  gorgeousness, 
of  which  Italy  itself  might  be  proud. 

Nature  has  beautifully  delineated  Beverly,  and 
marked  it  for  a  town.  The  southern  quarter,  oppo- 
site Salem,  combines,  for  commercial  purposes,  the 
advantages  of  a  commodious  and  safe  harbor,  salu- 
brious air,  and  dry,  elevated  land,  well  suited  for 
building.  From  Essex  Bridge,  the  elevation  along 
the  rail-road  track,  towards  Newburyport,  gradually 
increases  till  it  reaches  more  than  fifty  feet,  the  summit 
level  at  the  corner  near  Col.  Jesse  Shelden's,  when  it  as 
gradually  slopes  toward  Wenlfam.  The  streets  are  of  \ 
commodious  width,  and  generally  ornamented  with 
shade  trees;  and  several,  running  easterly  from  the 
main  street  to  the  marginal  one  threading  the  harbor, 
present  a  very  handsome  appearance.  The  principal 
highways,  all  of  which  are  bordered  with  many  ex- 
cellent farms,  are,  the  road  leading  from  Salem  to 
Newburyport,  which  makes  the  main  street  of  the 
town, — the  road  to  Cape  Ann,  which,  as  it  winds  its 
way  along  the  seashore  the  whole  distance,  affords 
an  exceedingly  pleasant  and  romantic  drive, — the 
road  through  Rial  Side  to  Danvers  Neck, — Conant 
street,  which  intersects  Liberty  street  (running  from 
the  Neck  to  the  Topsfield  road),  and  leads  to  Dan- 
vers Plains, — and  the  road  from  the  second  parish 
meeting-house  to  Topsfield. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  11 

The  road  from  Essex  bridge  to  Wenham  is  ex- 
ceedingly crooked,  having  many  acute  angles  and 
large  curvatures,  besides  innumerable  smaller  sinuos- 
ities. In  this  respect,  however,  it  is  not  singular. 
Before  a  way  had  been  discovered  of  passing  from 
Woodberry's  Point,  to  a  settlement  made  very  early 
at  the  head  of  Bass  river,  except  by  following  the 
seashore  and  the  margin  of  the  river,  it  is  said  a 
heifer  was  driven  from  the  Point  to  the  latter  place 
around  the  shore,  and  left  to  remain  there.  The  an- 
imal, not  liking  her  new  abode,  set  out  to  return 
home  through  the  woods,  which  she  reached  before 
her  driver.  Instead  of  pronouncing  her  bewitched, 
as  probably  would  have  been  done  some  fifty  or  sixty 
years  later,  her  tracks  were  traced,  and  a  path  there- 
by discovered,  which  subsequently  became  a  road  of 
communication  between  the  two  places.  The  road 
thus  laid  out  by  this  four-footed  commissioner  of 
highways,  has  not,  since  that  time,  been  improved 
much  in  its  direction.  Two  hundred  years  still 
leave  us  in  possession  of  many  highways,  whose 
numerous  windings  bear  ample  testimony  to  the  same 
scientific  origin,  and  it  is  quite  possible  that  the  road 
first  mentioned  was  surveyed  and  laid  out  by  an  en- 
gineer of  a  kindred  corps. 

The  natural  advantages  of  Beverly,  to  which  refer- 
ence has  been  made,  have  not  been  neglected.  From 
the  Salem  side,  the  town,  with  its  wharves,  store- 
houses and  shipping,  presents  the  compact  aspect  of 
a  commercial  place.  As  the  stranger  crosses  the 
bridge,  and  enters  the  heart  of  the  main  village,  he 
is  favorably  impressed  with  the  air  of  comfort  and 
business  which  the  numerous  handsomely  finished 
dwellings  and  shops  exhibit;  nor  is  he  less  gratified 


12  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

as  he  proceeds,  when  the  well-tilled  fields,  substan- 
tial farm-houses,  and  picturesque  scenery  of  the  sec- 
ond parish  open  to  his  view.  It  is  no  vain  boasting 
to  say,  that  this  town  combines  as  many  natural  and 
acquired  advantages  as  any  other,  of  similar  terri- 
tory and  population,  in  Essex  county.  Nor,  it  is  be- 
lieved, will  the  lover  of  nature  elsewhere  find  more 
ample  means  for  indulging  the  senses,  or  wider  scope 
for  the  exercise  of  imagination. 


SETTLEMENT. 


Beverly  originally  formed  a  part  of  the  Naumkeag 
territory,  belonging  to  John,  Sagamore  of  Agawam, 
which  also  included  Salem,  Marblehead,  Manchester, 
Wenham,  Danvers,  part  of  Topsfield  and  of  Middle- 
ton.^  This  chief  gladly  welcomed  the  colonists,  to 
whom  he  looked  for  protection  against  his  powerful 
enemies,  the  Tarrantines,  and  made  them  a  free  grant 
of  this  entire  territory.  In  1700,  the  grandchildren 
of  the  Sagamore  set  up  a  claim  to  Beverly,  which 
was  cancelled  by  the  payment  of  £6  6s.  8d.,  and  a 
formal  deed  taken. 

It  was  supposed  by  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Bentley, 
whose  familiarity  with  the  early  history  of  this  coun- 
try entitles  his  opinions  to  great  weight,  that  the  first 
settlement  within  the  original  limits  of  Salem  was 
made  on  Bass  river  or  "  Cape  Ann  Side,"  as  it  is 
styled  in  the  ancient  records.  He  pointed  out  a  spot 
near  Tuck's  Point,  as  the  locality  of  the  first  fort 

*  Naumkeag,  it  is  well  known,  was  the  name  of  Salem.  Mather 
writes  it  Nahumkeiclc,  on  which  he  has  the  following  comment :  ''  I 
have  somewhere  met  with  an  odd  observation  that  the  name  of  it 
was  rather  Hebrew  than  Indian :  for  Nahum  signifies  comfort,  and 
Keick  signifies  an  haven;  and  our  English  not  only  found  it  an 
haven  of  comfort^  but  happened  also  to  put  an  Hebrew  name  upon  it ; 
for  they  called  it  Salem,  for  the  peace  which  they  had  and  hoped  in 
it :  and  so  it  is  called  unto  this  day.^' — Magnalia,  vol.  1,  p.  63. 
2 


14  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

erected  for  the  protection  of  settlers.  But  since  his 
decease,  the  error  of  this  opinion  has  been  satisfacto- 
rily ascertained.  The  fort  referred  to  was  establish- 
ed on  Naugus'  Head,  nearly  opposite  fort  Pickering, 
at  the  entrance  of  Salem  harbor. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  in  this  town  was 
effected  by  Roger  Conant,  John  and  William  Wood- 
berry,  and  John  Balch,  about  1630.  It  commenced 
at  Curtis  Woodberry's  Point,  whence  it  extended  to 
Mackerel  Cove  and  other  parts.  There  are  reasons 
for  the  belief,  that  at  an  early  period,  perhaps  not 
long  before  the  settlement  of  Salem  in  1626,  Beverly 
was  an  Indian  residence.  In  removing  the  earth  on 
the  westerly  margin  of  Bartlett  swamp  in  1834,  flat 
stones  placed  in  a  circular  form,  on  which  fire  had 
been  made,  and  also  charcoal  and  clam-shells,  were 
found  near  a  spring  of  fresh  water.  Similar  remains 
have  been  discovered  on  the  shore  west  of  the  mouth 
of  Bass  river. 

According  to  a  current  tradition,  one  of  the  first 
houses  erected  in  this  town,  was  on  W^oodberry's 
Point,  near  the  residence  of  John  Prince.  It  was  a 
large  double  house,  constructed  for  defence  against 
an  enemy,  and  called  the  garrison  house.  It  was 
framed  of  oak  after  the  fashion  of  the  times,  and  was 
taken  down  about  forty  years  ago.  A  settlement  by 
an  EUingwood  (probably  Ralph)  was  early  made  on 
Fox's  or  Ellingwood's  Point.  The  flats  from  the 
old  ferry- way  to  this  Point,  were  granted  by  Salem 
to  one  of  the  Ellingwood's,  in  compensation  for  sup- 
porting a  pauper  by  the  name  of  Lambert.  The  deed 
of  this  grant  is  extant. 

There  is  a  tradition,  that  the  first  child  born  in  this 
town,  Avas  of  the  name  of  Dixey.     William  Dixey 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  15 

settled  on  Bass-river-side  soon  after  Conant ;  and  if 
the  tradition  is  founded  in  fact,  it  is  probable  this 
child  was  his.  Dixev  was  admitted  freeman  1634, 
and  died  in  1690,  aged  82. 

On  27th  October,  1647,  the  inhabitants  of  Mackerel 
Cove  were,  on  petition,  released  from  being  called  to 
watch  in  Salem,  except  in  seasons  of  danger ;  and  in 
1665,  the  Bass  river  settlement  was  permitted  by  the 
General  Court,  to  exercise  some  of  the  powers  of  a 
town,  though  still  subordinate  to  Salem.  These  were, 
to  choose  selectmen,  and  raise  the  charges  to  be  de- 
frayed by  and  within  themselves — to  provide  for  the 
poor  that  desired  to  inhabit  with  them — to  choose 
their  constables  and  surveyors  of  highways,  and 
whatever  other  officers  it  might  be  necessary  to  cm- 
ploy, — with  a  distinct  understanding,  however,  that 
in  town  and  country  charges,  in  common  interest  and 
concern,  and  in  the  choice  of  Deputies  to  the  General 
Court,  they  were  to  act  in  concert  with  Salem. 
/  Three  years  subsequent  to  this  arrangement,  Oct. 
44,  1668,  Bass-river-side  was  incorporated  as  a  dis- 
tinct township  by  the  name  of  Beverly,  and  Salem 
was  required  to  furnish  suitable  lands  and  bounds. 
These  bounds  excluded  Rial-side,  and  all  the  terri- 
tory within  the  present  limits  of  the  town,  west  of 
Bass  river  and  Horse  brook,  which  were  not  set  off 
from  Salem  until  1753. 

The  first  town  meeting  subsequent  to  incorpora- 
tion^  was  held  Nov.  23,  1668,  at  which  Capt.  Thomas 
Lothrop,  Wm.  Dixey,  Wm.  Dodge,  sen.,  John  West 
and  Paul  Thorndike,  were  chosen  selectmicn.  These 
officers  were  sometimes  called  toionsmen^  a  name 
significant  of  their  public  character,  and  were  select- 
ed from  among  the  most  worthy  of  the  citizens.    For 


16  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

a  long  time  "  they  united  in  their  office  the  powers 
and  duties  of  Overseers  of  the  poor,  Assessors  of 
taxes,  Surveyors  of  highways,  and  at  one  time, 
judicial  powers  to  try  civil  causes  of  small  amount. 
And  although  their  powers  are  now  more  restricted, 
they  are  still  looked  up  to  as  the  fathers  of  the  town, 
whose  prudential  affairs  they  are  to  order  and  man- 
age according  to  a  sound  discretion." 

Great  dissatisfaction  appears  early  to  have  existed 
wi4h  the  name  of  the  town  ;  so  much  so,  that  in  1671, 
Roger  Conant,  with  thirty-four  others,  petitioned  the 
General  Court  for  its  alteration.  As  the  petition 
assigns  all  the  known  reasons  for  a  change,  it  is 
given  entire,  with  the  orthography  unaltered. 

Petition  of  Roger  Conant^  May  28,  1671. 
To  the   honored  General  Court,  consisting  of  Mag- 
istrates and  Deputees,  (the  28th  of  the  3d  month. 
1671.) 

The  humble  petition  of  Roger  Conant,  of  Bass 
river  alias  Beverly,  who  hath  bin  a  planter  in  New 
England  fortie  yeers  and  upwards,  being  one  of  the 
first,  if  not  the  very  first,  that  resolved  and  made 
good  my  settlement  under  in  matter  of  plantation 
with  my  family  in  this  collony  of  the  Massachfisets 
Bay,  and  have  bin  instrumental,  both  for  the  found- 
ing and  carriing  on  of  the  same;  and  when  in  the 
infancy  thereof  it  was  in  great  hazard  of  being  de- 
serted, I  was  a  means,  through  grace  assisting^  me. 
to  stop  the  flight  of  those  few  that  then  were  heere 
with  me,  and  that  by  my  utter  deniall  to  goe  away 
with  them,  who  would  have  gon  either  for  England, 
or  mostly  for  Virginia,  but  thereupon  stayed  to  the 
hassard  of  our  lives 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  17 

Now  my  umble  suite  and  request  is  unto  this  hon- 
orable Court,  onhe  that  the  name  of  our  towne  or 
plantation  may  be  altered  or  changed  from  Beverly 
and  be  called  Budleigh.  I  have  two  reasons  that 
have  moved  me  unto  this  request.  The  first  is  the 
great  dislike  and  discontent  of  many  of  our  people 
for  this  name  of  Beverly,  because  (we  being  but  a 
small  place)  it  hath  caused  on  us  a  constant  nick- 
name of  Beggarly^  being  in  the  mouths  of  many, 
and  no  order  was  given,  or  consent  by  the  people  to 
their  agent  for  any  name,  until  we  were  shure  of 
being  a  town  granted  in  the  first  place. 

Secondly.  I  being  the  first  that  had  house  in  Sa- 
lem, (and  neither  had  any  hand  in  naming  either 
that  or  any  other  town,)  and  myself  with  those  that 
were  then  with  me,  being  all  from  the  western  part 
of  England,  desire  this  western  name  of  Budleigh,  a 
market  towne  in  Devonshire,  and  neere  unto  the  sea 
as  wee  are  heere  in  this  place,  and  where  myself  was 
borne.  Now  in  regard  of  our  firstnesse  and  antiquity 
in  this  soe  famous  a  coUony,  we  should  umblie  request 
this  small  preveledg  with  your  favors  and  consent, 
to  give  this  name  above  said,  unto  our  town.  I  never 
yet  made  sute  or  request  unto  the  Generall  Court  for 
the  least  matter,  tho'  I  thinke  I  might  as  well  have 
done,  as  many  others  have,  who  have  obtained  much 
without  hazard  of  life,  or  preferring  the  public  good 
before  their  own  interest,  which,  I  praise  God,  I  have 
done. 

If^this  my  sute,  may  find  acceptation  with  your 
worships,  1  shtill  rest  umbly  thankfull,  and  my  praises 
shall  not  cease  unto  the  throne  of  grace,  for  God's 
guidance  and  his  blessing  to  be  on  all  your  waightie 
proceedings,  and  that  iustice  and  righteousness  may 


18  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

be  everie  where  taught  and  practised  throughout  this 
wilderness,  to  all  posterity,  which  God  grant.    Amen. 
Your  worships'  umble  petitioner  and  servant, 

Roger  Conant. 

At  this  time  Conant  was  upwards  of  eighty  years 
old,  and  it  may  be  presumed  the  name  of  his  native 
Budleigh  possessed  for  him  the  charm  of  early  asso- 
ciation. But  neither  his  venerable  age,  the  services 
he  had  performed,  nor  yet  "  the  umble  desire  and 
request"  of  a  very  considerable  part  of  the  male 
inhabitants  of  the  place,  availed  to  obtain  the  object 
of  his  petition.  And  June  1,  1671,  the  Court  gave 
for  reply,  that  "  the  magistrates  having  perused  and 
considered  this  request,  see  no  cause  to  alter  the 
name  of  the  place  as  desired,  their  brethren  the  dep- 
uties hereto  consenting."  Beverly  in  England,  is  a 
town  of  considerable  note  in  the  East-riding  of  York- 
shire, and  was  once  the  residence  of  John  de  Beverly, 
Archbishop  of  York,  who  died  May  7th,  721.  It  is 
probable  that  from  this  town  Beverly  in  Massachu- 
setts derived  its  name,  and  though  the  present  gener- 
ation may  sympathise  with  the  aged  Conant  and  his 
associates  in  the  disappointment  of  their  request, 
they  will  not  regret  that  the  original  corporate  name 
was  retained  in  preference  to  the  less  euphonious  one 
of  Budleigh. 

Roger  Conant,  as  stated  in  his  petition,  was  born 
in  Budleigh,  England,  in  April,  1591.  He  was  the 
son  of  Richard  and  Agnes  Conant,  and  grandson 
of  John  Conant,  who  descended  from  worthy  parents 
of  Gettisham,  near  Honiton,  and  whose  ancestors 
were  of  French  extraction.  He  was  brother  to  Dr. 
John  Conant,  of  Exeter  College,   one  of    the    As- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  19 

sembly  Divines.  In  1623,  he  emigrated  to  Plymouth, 
where  he  remained  until  162.5,  when,  in  company 
with  Rev.  Mr.  Lyford,  he  removed  to  Nantasket. 
He  remained  there  but  a  short  time,  and  proceeded 
to  Cape  Ann,  where  he  was  invested  with  the  super- 
intendence of  the  Dorchester  company  engaged  in 
the  fishery  and  agricultural  pursuits,  being  in  fact 
the  first  Governor  in  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts 
Bay,  though  not  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  Province. 
The  trial  of  a  year  at  Cape  Ann,  was  sufficient  to 
satisfy  Conant  and  his  company,  that  the  prospect  of 
gain  was  hopeless,  and  in  1626  he  removed  to  Salem 
as  a  more  favorable  locality,  and  settled  on  the  neck 
of  land  between  Collins'  Cove  and  the  North  River. 
His  principal  companions  were  John  Woodberry, 
John  Balch  and  Peter  Palfrey.  Here  he  was  severe- 
ly tried  by  the  disaffection  of  most  of  his  company, 
who,  through  privation,  the  fear  of  Indian  hostilities, 
and  an  invitation  to  accompany  their  late  pastor,  Mr. 
Lyford,  to  Virginia,  were  strongly  inclined  to  aban- 
don the  settlement.  In  this  critical  juncture,  he  re- 
mained firm  and  true  to  the  interests  of  the  company. 
He  declared  his  intention  to  continue  though  all 
should  depart :  and  by  his  decided  and  hopeful  tone, 
revived  the  drooping  courage  of  his  associates,  and 
induced  them  to  relinquish  their  design.=^  He  dis- 
charged the  principal  offices  in  Salem  for  several 
years,  and  represented  that  place  in  the  General 
Court.  He  was  an  original  member  of  the  first  church 
in  Salem,  and  was  made  freeman  in  1630.  In  1635, 
he  received,  in  connexion  with  several  others,  a  grant 
of  land  at  the  head  of  Bass  river ;  and  on  his  petition 

*  Mather's  Magnalia,  i.  p.  62. 


20  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

as  "an  ancient  planter"  in  1671,  the  General  Court 
granted  him  200  acres  more.=^  He  took  a  patriarchal 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  this  town  until  his  decease, 
Nov.  19th,  1679,  in  the  89th  year  of  his  age.  Mather 
styles  him  "a  most  religious,  prudent  and  worthy 
gentleman;"  graces  that  eminently  qualified  him  for 
the  duties  he  was  called  to  discharge,  and  which,  in 
one  instance  at  least,  enabled  him  to  adjust  a  diffi- 
culty between  contending  parties  at  Cape  Ann  that 
threatened  bloodshed. f 

Roger  Conant  had  four  sons.  Lot,  Roger,  Exercise 
and  Joshua.     The  latter  died  in  1659. 

Lot,  probably  the  oldest  son,  was  born  in  1624, 
and  was  among  the  original  members  of  the  first 
church  in  this  town  in  1667.  He  had  ten  children, 
viz  :  Samuel,  John,  Lot,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Martha, 
William  and  Sarah,  (twins,)  Roger  and  Rebecca. 
In  1662,  he  lived  in  Marblehead. 

Roger,  his  second  son,  was  the  first  male  born  in 
Salem — on  account  of  which,  in  1640,  he  received  a 
grant  of  twenty  acres  of  land.  He  came  to  Beverly 
with  his  father,  and  previously  to  1674,  resided  in 

*  The  grant  from  Salem  runs  as  follows:  "4th  of  the  Uth 
month,  (Jan.)  1635.  That  Capt.  (William)  Traske,  Jno.  Woodberry, 
Mr  Conant,  Peter  Palfrey  and  John  Balch,  are  to  have  5  farmes,  viz  : 
each  200  acres  a  peise,  to  forme  in  all  a  thousand  acres  of  land 
together,  lying  and  being  at  the  head  of  Bass  river,  124  poles 
in  breadth,  and  soe  runin  northerly  to  the  riv^er  by  the  great  pond 
side,  and  soe  in  breadth,  making  up  the  full  quantity  of  a  thou- 
sand  acres,  these  being  laid  out  and  surveyed  by  vs. 

John  Woodberry, 
John  Balch." 

Palfrey  never  settled  on  his  grant.  He  removed  to  Reading, 
where  he  died  July  15lh,  1663. 

t  Hubbard's  Hist.  N.  E.  pp.  106—111. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  21 

Marblehead.  He  had  a  son  Roger,  who  had  a  son 
Ebenezer,  bom  Dec.  30th,  1698. 

Exercise  was,  probably,  born  in  Beverly.  He  was 
baptized  at  Salem,  Dec.  24,  1637 ;  was  made  free- 
man 1663,  and  was  set  off  with  other  petitioners 
for  a  church  in  this  town  in  1667.  He  appears  to 
have  been  an  active  and  useful  citizen,  and  repre- 
sented the  town  in  General  Court,  in  1682,  1684. 
The  births  of  three  of  his  children  are  recorded,  viz  : 
Elizabeth,  Josiah  and  Caleb. 

John  Woodberry,  another  of  the  original  settlers 
of  this  town,  came  from  Somersetshire,  England, 
under  ?he  direction  of  the  Dorchester  company,  which 
established  itself  at  Cape  Ann  about  1624.  He  came 
to  Salem  with  Conant,  Balch  and  others,  in  1626, 
and  the  next  year  went  to  England  as  an  agent  for 
procuring  supplies.  He  returned  in  1628,  and  was 
made  a  freeman  in  1630.  In  1635,  he  was  chosen 
deputy  to  the  General  Court — and  again  in  1638, 
besides  which,  he  was  appointed  to  several  offices  of 
trust  in  town.  He  w^as  an  original  member  of  the 
first  church  in  Salem.  In  1636,  he  received  a  grant 
of  two  hundred  acres  of  land  on  Bass  river.  He  was 
an  energetic,  faithful  and  worthy  man,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  the  settlement  and  transactions  of  the 
colony.  He  died  in  1641;  having  lived  to  see  his 
perils,  sufferings  and  toils  contribute  to  prepare  a 
refuge  for  his  countrymen. 

Humphrey,  son  of  John  Woodberry,  was  born  in 
1609,  came  to  N.  England  with  his  father  in  1628, 
was  admitted  to  the  church  in  Salem  1648,  was 
member  of  the  first  church  in  Beverly  at  its  for- 
mation, was  chosen  deacon  in  1668,  and  was  liv- 
ing in    1681.     Peter,  son  of  Humphrey,  was  born 


22  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

ill  1640.  He  was  made  a  freeman  in  1668,  and  elect- 
ed representative  in  1689.  He  also  filled  the  office  of 
deacon,  and  died  July  5th,  1704,  aged  64.  Peter,  jr. 
his  son,  was  born  in  1664,  and  died  Jan.  8th,  1706, 
aged  42  years.  He  also  filled  the  office  of  deacon. 
He  owned  the  estate,  now  the  property  of  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin Woodberry,  in  the  second  parish,  and  resided 
in  the  same  house.  His  widow,  Mary,  survived  him 
fifty-seven  years,  and  died  Nov.  20th,  1763,  in  the 
90th  year  of  her  age.  Peter,  jr.,  had  also  a  son  Peter, 
who  was  born  June  20th,  1705,  and  died  May  14th, 
1775.  John,  a  son  of  the  last  named  Peter,  was  born 
Nov.  8th,  1743,  and  died  Sept.  3d,  1813,  in  the  70th 
year  of  his  age.  He  had  six  children,  viz  :  John, 
Peter,  Hannah,  Mary,  James  and  Benjamin.  The 
homestead  has  remained  in  the  family  since  the  first 
settlement. 

Josiah  Woodberry,  son  of  the  first  named  Peter, 
was  born  June  15th,  1682,  and  lived  in  the  second 
parish.  He  had  a  son  Peter,  who  removed  to  Mt. 
Vernon,  N.  H.  (then  Amherst,)  in  1773,  and  died  at 
Antrim,  N.  H.,  aged  85.  His  son,  Hon.  Peter  Wood- 
berry, was  born  in  Beverly  in  1767,  and  removed  to 
New  Hampshire,  with  his  father.  He  engaged  in 
mercantile  and  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  about 
fifteen  years  member  of  ihe  House  of  Representa- 
tives, two  years  a  State  Senator,  and  for  more  than 
thirty  years  held  the  commission  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace.  He  died  at  Francistown,  N.  H.,  in  1834. 
He  had  five  sons,  Hon.  Levi  Woodbury,  late  Secre- 
tary of  the  U.  S.  Treasury,  P.  P.  Woodbury,  George 
Washington,  (settled  in  Latantia,  Miss.)  Jesse  and 
James.  His  wife  was  the  daughter  of  James  Wood- 
bury, who   was   born    in    Beverly,  removed  to  Mt. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  23 

Vernon,  N.  H.,  1782,  and  died  at  Francistown,  1823, 
aged  86.  James  was  an  under  officer  in  Col.  Robert 
Rogers'  regiment  of  Rangers,  and  was  near  Wolfe 
when  he  fell  at  the  storming  of  Quebec.  The  sword 
he  wore  in  that  service  is  now  in  the  possession  of  a 
descendant. 

William  Woodberry,  brother  to  the/  first  named 
John,  is  mentioned  in  the  Salem  records  in  1639,  and 
his  wife  Elizabeth  in  1640.  He  had  a  son  Nich- 
olas who  died  May  16,  1686,  aged  about  69.  He 
married  Anna  Paulsgrave,  who  died  June  10,  1701, 
aged  about  75.  His  daughter  Abigail  married  an 
Ober,  and  died  Jan.  28,  1727,  aged  86.  Nicholas  had 
a  son  Nicholas,  born  in  1657,  died  Oct.  13, 1691,  aged 
34.  From  John  and  William  Woodberry,  all  bearing 
that  name  in  New  England  probably  descended. 

John  Balch  came  from  Bridge  water,  Somersetshire, 
England.  He  was  an  original  member  of  the  first 
church  in  Salem ;  was  made  freeman  in  1630,  and 
held  various  offices  of  trust.  He  settled  on  his  grant 
of  land  at  the  head  of  Bass  river,  near  the  present 
residence  of  Mr.  John  Bell,  where  he  died  in  1648. 
He  was  an  intelligent,  exemplary  and  useful  citizen. 
He  was  twice  married,  and  had  three  sons,  viz : 
Benjamin,  born  1629  :  John,  married  to  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Roger  Conant,  and  drowned  in  crossing  the 
ferry  to  Beverly,  Jan.  16,  1662  ;  Freeborn,  who  went 
to  England  and  never  returned. 

Benjamin  had  Samuel,  b.  1651,  d.  1723;  John,  b. 
1654,  d.  1738  ;  Joseph,  killed  at  Bloody  Brook ;  and 
Freeborn,  b.  1660,  d.  1729.  Freeborn  lived  near 
Wenham  pond.  His  first  wife  was  a  Knowlton,  by 
whom  he  had  Freeborn,  (who  removed  to  Bradford,) 
Benjamin  and  Mirriam.     His  second  wife  was  Eliza- 


24  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

beth  Fairfield,  by  whom  he  had  Elizabeth,  Abigail, 
Tabatha,  Wilham  and  Mary.  WilUam,  son  of  Free- 
born and  grandson  of  Benjamin,  was  minister  of 
Bradford— b.  1704,  graduated  1724— d.  1792.  He 
had  seven  children,  one  of  whom,  William,  was 
father  of  Benjamin  Balch,  of  Salem. 

Samuel  Balch,  son  of  Benjamin,  sen.,  married 
Sarah  Nevvaxiarch  1675 — was  chosen  deacon  of  the 
first  church,  Oct.  26,  1704;  married  for  second  wife, 
Martha  Butman,  1721 ;  d.  Oct.  14,  1723,  aged  72. 
He  had  eleven  children,  viz :  Joseph,  John,  Peter, 
Martha,  Samuel,  Benjamin  and  John,  (twins,)  Phebe, 
Cornelius,  Abigail  and  Thomas. 

John  Balch,  son  of  deacon  Samuel  Balch,  b. 
1654 ;  married  Hannah  Denning,  Dec.  23,  1674 ;  d. 
1738.  He  had  Israel,  Sarah,  Caleb,  Joshua,  David 
and  Roger.  He  owned  a  large  real  estate  in  the 
second  parish. 

To  the  names  of  Conant,  Woodberry  and  Balch, 
it  will  be  proper  to  add  those  of  Brackenbury  and 
Lothrop,  as  among  the  most  valuable  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Beverly. 

Richard  Brackenbury  came  over  in  Governor  En- 
dicott's  company  in  1628.  The  first  public  business 
with  which  his  name  is  coupled,  is  in  a  joint  commis- 
sion from  Salem  with  William  Woodberry,  Ensign 
Dixey,  Mr.  Conant  and  Lieut.  Lothrop,  to  ''lay  out 
a  way  between  the  ferry  at  Salem  and  the  head  of 
Jeffrie's  Creek,"  to  "  be  such  a  way  as  a  man  may 
travel  on  horseback  or  drive  cattle,"  with  the  alter- 
native, that  "if  such  a  way  may  not  be  formed, 
then  to  take  speedy  course  to  set  up  a  bridge  at 
Mackerel  Cove."  He  was  a  member  of  the  first 
church  in  Salem  in  1628,  and  was  made  a  freeman 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  25 

in  1630.  In  1636,  he  received  a  grant  of  75  acres  of 
land.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  church  in  Bev- 
erly, and  took  a  lively  interest  in  its  affairs.  His 
death  occurred  in  1685,  at  the  age  of  85.  He  left 
descendants,  but  the  name  has  become  extinct  in  this 
town. 

Capt.  Thomas  Lothrop  emigrated  from  England, 
and  during  his  whole  life  was  distinguished  for  in- 
telligence, activity  and  efficiency  in  public  affairs. 
He  settled  on  ''  Bass-river-side,"  where  he  received  a 
grant  of  land  in  1636.  He  became  a  freeman  in 
1634,  and  a  member  of  the  Salem  church  in  1636. 
He  represented  Salem  in  General  Court  for  the  years 
1647,  1653  and  1664,  besides  holding  other  important 
offices.  He  assisted  in  founding  the  first  church  in 
1667,  and  after  the  incorporation  of  this  town,  he 
was  chosen  a  selectman,  and  re-elected  to  that  office 
from  year  to  year,  until  his  death.  He  was  also 
chosen  representative  for  several  years,  and  was  ex- 
tensively employed  in  almost  all  the  public  affairs  of 
the  town,  both  civil  and  ecclesiastical. 

In  1644,  Lothrop  was  a  lieutenant  under  Captain 
Hawthorn,  and  in  1654,  had  a  captain's  command 
under  Major  Sedgwick  at  the  capture  of  St.  Johns 
and  Port  Royal.  He  was  very  desirous  of  obtaining 
a  bell  for  the  meeting-house  in  Beverly,  and  applied 
to  Major  Sedgwick  for  one  at  St.  Johns,  but  that 
being  already  promised,  his  wish  was  gratified  at 
Port  Royal,  by  being  put  in  possession  of  the  bell 
belonging  to  the  "  ncAV  Friary  "  of  that  place,  which 
he  transferred  to  this  town.  In  this  expedition  Thom- 
as Whittredge  and  Edward  Rayment,  of  Beverly, 
held  lieutenants'  commissions,  and  William  Wood- 
berry,  Humphrey  Woodberry  and  Peter  Wooden, 
3 


26  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

were  pilots.  The  ''plunder"  amounted  to  £740.'* 
In  the  early  part  of  King  Philip's  war,  Captain 
Lothrop  was  selected  to  command  a  company  of 
infantry  in  the  Massachusetts  forces,  and  ordered  to 
the  western  frontier  of  the  province.  This  company, 
styled  "  the  flower  of  Essex,  "  consisted  of  young 
men  selected  from  the  best  families  of  the  several 
towns  in  the  county.  At  this  time,  the  country  now 
embraced  in  the  county  of  Worcester  and  the  Con- 
necticut river  counties,  was  infested  by  hostile  Indi- 
ans, and  this  company  performed  much  hard  service 
at  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Brookfield,  making  extensive 
marches  through  the  northern  woods  in  search  of  the 
enemy.  Hadley  being  made  the  head-quarters  of  the 
troops  stationed  in  that  quarter  to  protect  the  settlers, 
it  became  necessary  to  increase  the  supply  of  provis- 
ions. A  considerable  quantity  of  wheat  having  been 
preserved  in  stacks  at  Deerfield,  it  was  deemed  expe- 
dient to  have  it  threshed  and  brought  down  to  Hadley. 
Capt.  Lothrop  and  his  company  volunteered  as  con- 
voy. They  passed  with  safety  through  the  level  and 
closely  wooded  country,  well  calculated  for  a  surprize, 
and  at  Muddy  Brook  in  South  Deerfield,  considered 
themselves,  in  a  great  measure,  free  from  danger. 
The  forest  here  was  hung  with  clusters  of  grapes; 
and  as  the  wagons  dragged  through  the  heavy  soil, 
it  is  not  unlikely  that  the  teamsters,  and  possibly  a 
part  of  the  company,  may  have  dispersed  to  gather 
them.  At  this  moment  of  fatal  security,  seven  or 
eight  hundred  Indians  poured  a  deadly  fire  from  their 
ambuscade ;  and  before  the  sanguinary  conflict  ceased, 
Capt.  Lothrop  and  nearly  the  whole  of  his  command 
were  destroyed.     The  number  who  perished,  includ- 

*  Provincial  Records. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  27 

ing  the  teamsters,  is  variously  estimated  from  sixty 
to  ninety,  among  whom  were  Josiah  Dodge,  Peter 
Woodberry  and  John  Balch  of  Beverly.  The  post- 
script of  a  letter  dated  Sept.  22,  1675,  and  addressed 
by  the  Council  to  Richard  Smith  in  the  Narragansett 
country,  gives  the  following  account  of  this  melan- 
choly affair  :  "  This  morning  we  received  sad  intel- 
ligence from  Hadley,  that  upon  Saturday  last,  Capi. 
Lothrop,  with  about  60  men,  being  appointed  to  con- 
duct from  Deerfield  to  Hadley  with  carriages  and 
cattle,  they  were  surprized  by  abundance  of  Indians 
that  lay  in  ambushment,  and  received  a  dreadful 
blow,  insomuch  that  about  40  of  Capt.  Lothrop's 
men  and  himself  were  slain.  Capt.  Moseley  being 
not  far  off,  engaged  with  the  Indians  and  fought 
several  hours,  and  lost  11  men  ;  others  also  were 
slain  that  were  belonging  to  the  carriages,  so  that  the 
next  day  they  buried  64  men  in  all.  The  Indians 
were  judged  to  be  more  than  500  men.=^ 

Not  long  after  the  ''  black  and  fatal  day,"  wherjein, 
says  Dr.  Increase  Mather,  ''  were  eight  persons  made 
widows,  and  six  and  twenty  children  made  fatherless, 
and  about  sixty  persons  buried  in  one  fatal  grave,"  a 
rude  monument  was  erected  near  the  spot  to  perpet- 
uate the  memory  of  the  slain  ;  but  becoming  dilapi- 
dated by  time,  another  was  erected  in  1835,  the  corner- 
stone of  which  was  laid  Sept.  30th  of  that  year,  with 
appropriate  solemnities,  and  an  address  by  Hon. 
Edward  Everett. 

Capt.  Lothrop,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  about 
65  years  of  age.  He  was  married  to  Bethiah,  daugh- 
ter of  Joshua  Rea,  but  had  no  family,  and  the  name 
in  this  town  is  now  extinct.     His   estate,   which,  as 

♦  Provincial  Military  Records. 


28  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

before  stated,  was  received  by  a  grant  from  the  gov- 
ernment, was  situated  in  Mackerel  Cove,  and  his 
house  stood  near  the  dweUing  of  Ebenezer  Wood- 
berry.  He  gave  some  property  to  the  town  ;  and  in 
1837,  one  of  the  pubUc  streets  received  his  name. 
His  widow  was  married  to  Joseph  Grafton  ;  and  his 
sister  Ellen,  who  came  over  with  him  from  England, 
and  inherited  his  property,  became  the  second  wife 
of  Ezekiel  Cheever,  the  celebrated  schoolmaster  at 
Boston. 

''King  Philip's  war,"  spread  consternation  through- 
out the  province.  During  that  brief  but  sanguinary 
contest,  twelve  towns  in  Massachusetts,  Plymouth 
and  Rhode  Island,  were  destroyed,  six  hundred  build- 
ings, mostly  dwelling-houses,  were  burned,  and  six 
hundred  of  the  inhabitants  fell  in  battle  or  were 
murdered.  "^  Beverly  participated  in  the  general 
alarm ;  and,  as  precautionary  measures,  forts  were 
erected  near  the  meeting-house,  at  Bass  river,  at 
Mackerel  Cove,  and  "near  the  house  of  John  Dodge, 
sen."  At  an  early  period,  and  probably  previous  to 
this  time,  a  party  of  hostile  savages,  it  is  said,  sur- 
prized and  carried  off  a  family  from  this  town  by  the 
name  of  Foster.  They  were  taken  finally  to  Canada, 
and  seven  years  elapsed  before  they  recovered  their 
freedom  and  returned. 

In  the  expedition  against  the  Indians  at  fort  Nar- 
ragansett  in  1675,  the  following  persons  from  Beverly 
were  engaged,  commanded  by  Capt.  Joseph  Gardner, 
of  Salem,  whose  fall,  Dec.  19th,  was  universally 
lamented.  William  Balch,  William  Bonner,  Lot 
Conant,  Christopher  Read,  (wounded,)  William  Fer- 
ryman,  Christopher  Browne,  Moses  Morgan,  John 

*  Everett. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  29 

Traske,  William  Allen,  John  Clark,  Richard  Huss- 
band,  Thomas  Rayment,  Ralph  Ellingwood,  Henry 
Bayley,  Thomas  Blashfield,  John  Ellingwood,  Joseph 
Morgan,  William  Dodge,  Jonathan  Biles,  William 
Rayment,  Ellas  Picket,  Samuel  Harris,  John  Dodge. =^ 

June  24,  1662,  Lawrence  Leach  died,  aged  82. 
He  was  proposed  for  a  freeman  at  Salem  in  1630, 
and  was  a  member  of  Salem  church  before  1636, 
when  the  town  granted  him  100  acres  of  land.  He 
had  four  sons,  Clement,  Richard,  John  and  Robert. 
Qlement  was  married  and  lived  in  England.  Rich- 
ard died  in  1647,  and  left  a  son  John,  who  inherited 
the  estate  of  his  grandfather  at  Rial-side,  known  as 
the  "  Leach  farm."  Robert  left  a  son  Robert,  who 
was  living  in  1695.  Lawrence  Leach  held  various 
offices  in  Salem.  The  usefulness  of  his  life  gained 
respect  for  his  memory.  His  widow  Elizabeth,  died 
about  1674. 

Sept.  20,  1677,  a  committee  of  the  General  Court, 
consisting  of  Samuel  Appleton,  John  Whipple  and 
John  Fuller,  came  to  Beverly,  and  after  examhiing  the 
grounds  of  claim  laid  by  the  town,  to  about  500  acres 
of  land,  made  a  favorable  report,  which  was  accepted 
by  the  court.  This  was  subsequently  reconsidered, 
and  new  commissioners  were  appointed,  Oct.  2,  1678, 
to  settle  the  bounds  between  Salem  Village,  Beverly 
and  Wenham. 

In  the  year  1681,  great  excitement  was  produced 
by  a  claim  advanced  by  the  heirs  of  John  Mason  to 
all  the  territory  between  the  Merrimack  and  Naum- 
keag  rivers.  Of  this  excitement  Beverly  partook. 
The  General  Court  was  memorialized,  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Hale,  Capt.  Dixy  and  John  Dodge,  sen.,  were  chosen 

*  Provincial  Records. 
3=* 


30  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

to  attend  a  convention  at  Ipswich,  "  to  present  such 
pleas  and  evidences  for  the  title  of  the  town  to  its 
territory  as  had  been  agreed  upon,"  and  to  unite  with 
that  body  in  drawing  up  "  something  to  be  presented 
to  his  Majesty,  by  such  messengers  as  the  General 
Court  shall  send." 

Among  the  most  material  witnesses,  were  Richard 
Brackenbury,  William  Dixy  and  Humphrey  Wood- 
berry.  They  testified  that  the  Massachusetts  com- 
pany purchased  of  the  Dorchester  company,  all  their 
houses,  boats,  servants  and  right  at  Cape  Ann,  before 
Gov.  Endicott's  arrival,  who  subsequently  "took 
possession  of  Cape-Ann-side,  and  soon  after  laid  out 
lots  for  tillage  there."  It  was  further  given  in  evi- 
dence, that  the  Indians  had  been  protected  by  the 
colonists  who  settled  at  Salem:  that  they  had  "  free 
leave  to  build  and  plant"  where  they  had  taken  up 
lands ;  that  the  same  year  or  next  after  they  came 
to  Salem,  they  cut  hay  for  cattle,  which  they  brought 
over  on  Beverly  side,  and  that  they  had  been  in 
"  possession  of  Beverly  side  ever  since. ""^ 

This  claim  was  agitated  until  1691,  when  the  heirs 
of  Mason,  weary,  probably,  with  hereditary  litigation, 
sold  their  interest  to  Samuel  Allen,  a  London  mer- 
chant, who  failing  to  succeed  in  a  suit  instituted 
against  one  of  the  largest  landholders,  petitioned  the 
king  to  be  put  in  possession  of  the  waste  land,  which 
included  all  uninclosed  and  unoccupied  lands  within, 
as  well  as  without,  the  bounds  of  settled  towns.  This 
petition  was  granted ;  but  being  again  unsuccessful 
in  subsequent  suits,  a  compromise  with  the  Assembly 
of  New  Hampshire  was  negotiated,  which  was  broken 
off  by  his  sudden  death  in  1705.     In  1706  and  1707, 

*  Annals  of  Salem,  pp.  268,  269. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  31 

his  son,  Thomas  Allen  of  London,  prosecuted  his 
claim,  but  with  no  better  success  than  his  father. 
After  his  death  in  1715,  John  Tufton  Mason,  a  grand- 
son of  John  Mason,  suffered  a  recovery  of  entail  in 
the  Courts  of  New  Hampshire,  on  the  ground  that 
the  sale  to  Allen  in  1691,  having  been  made  in  Eng- 
land, was  invalid.  Under  this  recovery,  he  sold  all 
his  interest,  in  1746,  to  several  of  the  principal  gen- 
tlemen of  the  province,  who,  anxious  to  terminate 
this  perplexing  business,  relinquished  their  claim  to 
the  towns  which  had  been  settled  and  granted  within 
the  limits  of  their  purchase,  and  adopted  a  very 
liberal  and  popular  policy  in  their  grants  of  other 
towns.  And  thus,  after  a  period  of  nearly  one  hun- 
dred years,  the  controversy  was  closed,  and  the 
inhabitants  of  Beverly,  as  well  as  all  settlers  between 
the  Merrimack  and  Naumkeag  rivers,  were  relieved 
from  further  apprehensions  concerning  the  validity  of 
their  possessions.^ 

Nov.  8th,  1686,  John  Lovett  deceased,  aged  about 
76.  He  was  born  in  1610,  and  was  one  of  the  eight 
admitted  inhabitants  of  Salem,  July  25th,  1639.  At 
the  "seven  men's  meeting,"  Nov.  3, 1665,  he  received 
a  grant  of  two  acres  of  marsh  ground  lying  near  the 
old  planter's  meadow  in  the  vicinity  of  Wenham 
common.  He  came  early  to  Beverly,  and  was  at 
different  periods  surveyor  of  highways,  constable 
and  selectman.  By  his  will,  dated  Nov.  8,  1686,  it 
appears  he  held  a  large  real  estate  which  was  devised 
principally  to  his  children,  John,  Joseph,  Abigail, 
Mary,  Bethiah,  and  his  grandson  George  Standley. 
He  bequeathed  a  set  of  cooper's  tools  to  his  son  John, 
and  also  twenty  acres  of  land  on  the  east  side  of 

*  Belknap. 


32  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

"  dirty  hole,"  lying  between  the  lands  of  his  son 
Joseph,  and  his  son-in-law  George  Standley.  This 
land,  now  so  valuable  by  its  buildings  and  improve- 
ments, is  on  the  east  side  of  Cabot  street,  somewhere 
between  the  south  meeting-house  and  the  bank.  Mr. 
Lovett's  wife,  Mary,  for  whom  he  suitably  provided, 
and  made  executrix  of  his  will,  was  admitted  to  the 
Salem  church,  Sept.  1,  1650,  and  was  one  of  the 
petitioners  for  the  formation  of  the  church  in  Beverly. 
She  died  June  1695,  aged  about  80. 

John  Lovett,  jr.,  to  whom  the  old  burying  ground 
lot  belonged  in  1672,  died  Sept.  10,  1727,  aged  about 
91.'  He  bequeathed  a  considerable  estate  to  his 
children,  Simon,  John,  Samuel,  Benjamin,  Susanna 
and  Bethiah — to  his  grandchildren,  Peter  and  Bethiah 
Shaw,  Susanna  Sikes,  and  to  the  widow  of  his  grand- 
son, Thomas  Lovett.  He  was  admitted  to  the  church 
Dec.  12,  1714,  when  about  seventy-eight  years  of  age, 
to  which  he  left  a  small  legacy.  From  the  first 
named  John  Lovett,  all  of  that  name  in  this  town 
probably  descended. 

In  1690,  an  expedition  against  Canada  was  carried 
on  under  the  direction  of  Sir  William  Phips.  For 
this  enterprize,  a  company  Avas  raised  in  Beverly  by 
Capt.  William  Rayment.  who  joined  the  land  forces, 
amounting  to  about  2000  men.  The  fleet  employed 
to  transport  the  army  arrived  before  Quebec,  Oct. 
5th,  and  disembarked  1200  or  1300  eflective  men. 
All  attempts  to  obtain  possession  of  the  city  failed, 
and  on  the  11th,  the  army  was  compelled  to  return 
onboard  the. vessels,  which  immediately  sailed  fop 
New  England.  Great  expectations  had  been  formed 
of  this  expedition.  The  provincial  government  had 
warmly  encouraged  it,  and,  to  render  it  more  popular, 
held  out  the  idea  that  the  expenses  would  be  entirely 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  33 

defrayed  from  the  spoils  of  the  enemy.  So  signal  a 
failure  not  only  produced  universal  disappointment, 
but  involved  the  province  in  a  severe  pecuniary  em- 
barrassment. According  to  a  statement  made  by 
Gov.  Shirley  in  1746,  this  expedition  "  cost  the  single 
province  of  Massachusetts  about  £50,000,  with  the 
loss  of  an  abundance  of  their  young  men  by  a  malig- 
nant fever  that  raged  in  the  camp,  and  several  distem- 
pers that  happened  in  their  way  home,  and  gave 
this  province  so  deep  a  wound  that  it  did  not  recover 
itself  in  many  years  after."^ 

Capt.  Rayment  and  his  company  endured  privation 
in  common  with  the  army,  and  were  subsequently 
rewarded  by  the  grant  of  a  township  of  land.  He 
was  a  useful  and  respected  citizen,  represented  the 
town  in  General  Court,  and  held  various  other  offices 
of  trust  and  honor.  In  1691,  he  was  indemnified  by 
the  town  for  loss  sustained  as  its  commissioner  in  the 
time  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros.  He  owned  an  estate  in 
the  second  parish,  and  lived  near  the  dwelling-house 
of  Mr.  Isaac  Babson.  His  children  were  Mary,  born 
April  29th,  1688— died  Jan.  20th,  1689;  William, 
born  Feb.  11th,  1689-90;  Daniel,  born  Nov.  25th, 
1691  ;  Paul,  born  Jan.  22,  1694-5. 

In  one  of  the  early  French  wars,  a  merchantman 
sailing  from  this  port,  was  taken  by  the  enemy  and 
carried  into  one  of  the  West  India  Islands.  The 
captain,  anxious  alike  for  himself  and  the  owners, 
pled  earnestly  for  a  release,  and  finally  succeeded  in 
obtaining  it  on  condition  of  paying  a  stipulated  ran- 
som. To  do  this,  it  became  necessary  to  return  to 
Beverly  for  the  money,  which  his  captors  would  not 
permit  except  he  left  a  hostage.     Accordingly,  one  of 

*  Provincial  Records. 


34  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

the  crew,  named  Hill,  was  consigned  to  their  custody. 
He  was  placed  in  prison,  with  the  threat  that  unless 
the  captain  returned  on  a  specified  day,  all  food 
should  be  withheld  until  his  arrival.  With  these 
terms  distinctly  declared,  he  sailed  for  Beverly.  On 
his  arrival,  some  little  delay  in  procuring  the  neces- 
sary funds  occurred,  which  being  overcome,  he  once 
more  spread  his  canvass  for  his  port  of  destination. 
But  this  delay  had  nearly  proved  fatal  to  poor  HilL 
The  day  appointed  for  his  captain's  return  closed, 
and  no  vessel  appeared.  The  dreaded  threat  was 
immediately  executed.  Both  food  and  water  were 
withheld,  and  for  eight  or  nine  da^^s  the  unfortunate 
hostage  suffered  all  the  pangs  of  unappeased  hunger 
and  the  horror  of  apprehended  starvation.  Happily, 
however,  almost  at  the  moment  when  human  aid 
would  cease  to  avail,  the  vessel  arrived,  the  ransom 
was  paid,  and  Hill  was  set  at  liberty.  He  gradually 
recovered  from  the  feeble  state  produced  by  privation, 
and  lived  several  years  to  relate,  though  always  with 
tears,  the  sufferings  endured  in  a  French  prison. 

In  1670,  notices  of  town  meetings  were  first  posted 
on  the  meeting-house,  previously  to  which  they  were 
called  by  personal  warning.  In  1683,  Beverly  be- 
came a  lawful  port  of  entry,  annexed  to  the  port  of 
Salem,  and  in  1684  was  required  to  assist  in  building 
a  house  of  correction  in  that  town.  In  1687,  the 
inhabitants  becoming  neglectful  of  town  meetings,  a 
vote  was  passed  imposing  a  fine  of  ten  shillings  on 
all  future  absentees. 

Although  the  town  records  begin  in  1665,  no  town 
clerk  was  chosen  until  April  11,  1690,  when  Andrew 
Elliot  was  elected,  and  his  compensation  fixed  at  30s. 
in  money  or  40s.  in  pay^  i.  e.  produce.  Up  to  this 
period,  the  records  had  been  kept  by  the  selectmen. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  35 

whose  doings  are  blended  with  those  of  the  town. 
EUiot  was  a  native  of  Somerset  county,  in  the  west 
of  England.  He  came  early  to  Beverly,  and  became 
a  member  of.  the  church  in  1687.  He  appears  to 
have  enjoyed  the  entire  confidence  of  his  townsmen, 
and  was  frequently  chosen  selectman,  representative, 
&c.,  and  was  sixty-three  years  old  when  he  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  town  clerk.  He  suffered  under 
the  arbitrary  administration  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros, 
on  account  of  which,  the  town  made  him  a  grant. 
In  1686,  he  was  one  of  the  five  witnesses  taken  from 
Beverly,  to  attend  at  the  execution  of  the  Indian 
deed  of  the  town  of  Salem.  He  wrote  a  fair  hand, 
and  was  very  circumstantial  in  his  record  of  events. 
The  following  entry  of  the  decease  of  his  son,  is  a 
specimen  of  his  method  :  "  Andrew  Elliot,  the  dear 
and  only  son  of  Andrew  Elliot,  whose  mother's  name 
was  Grace,  and  was  born  in  East  Coker,  in  the  county 
of  Somerset,  in  old  England,  being  on  board  a  vessel 
appertaining  unto  Phillip  English,  of  Salem,  one 
Bavidge  being  master,  said  vessel  being  then  at  Cape 
Sables,  by  an  awful  stroke  was  violently  thrown 
into  the  sea  and  there  perished  in  the  water,  to  the 
great  grief  of  his  said  father,  the  penman  hereof, 
being  aged  about  37  years ;  on  the  12th  day  of  Septem- 
ber, about  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  according  to 
the  best  information,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1688." 
The  second  volume  of  town  records  he  commences 
as  follows:  '•  3d  of  Nov.  1685,  then  this  book  was 
improved  for  the  town  of  Beverly,  as  a  town  book 
to  record  the  town  concerns  by  the  selectmen  of  said 
town  successively.  For  former  concerns  in  this  mat- 
ter, any  concerned  may  have  recourse  unto  a  former 
parchment-covered  old  book  extant,  and  likewise  for 
some  antient  records  of  marriages,  births,  and  buri- 


36  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

alSj  which  said  year  was  the  first  year  of  the  reign 
of  our  sovereign  lord,  King  James  secundus. 

^'  Truth  justifies  herself  when  falsehood  comes  to  naught, 
How  few  improve  the  first,  but  with  the  last  full  fraught ; 
Oh  thou  tyrant  custom,  what  havoc  dost  thou  make, 
Thy  cruel  bonds,  fetters  and  clogs,  most  men  do  captivate." 

He  died  March  1.  1703-4,  aged  76  years. 

Andrew  Elhot,  a  merchant  in  Boston,  who  suffered 
by  the  great  fire  in  1711,  was  his  great  grandson,  and 
Rev.  Andrew  ElUot,  a  distinguished  clergyman  of  the 
same  city,  was  his  great,  great  grandson.  The 
daughter  of  Andrew  Elliot,  the  merchant,  was 
married  to  Nathaniel  Thayer,  and  was  grandmother 
to  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Thayer,  of  Lancaster. 

Mr.  Elhot  was  succeeded  in  office  by  Robert 
Woodberry,  who  discharged  its  duties  with  great 
fidelity.  He  married  a  daughter  of  ''farmer  W^st," 
was  the  grandfather  of  the  late  James  Woodberry  at 
the  farms,  and  lived  in  the  same  house.  During  his 
life-time,  he  held  most  of  the  important  offices  in  the 
gift  of  the  town.  He  was  a  good  penman,  and  was 
almost  universally  employed  in  drafting  deeds  and 
other  instruments  in  writing  required  by  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  town. 

Another  town  officer  worthy  of  notice  in  this  con- 
nexion, is  Robert  Briscoe,  who,  from  1690  until  he 
removed  from  the  place  in  1726,  held  the  various 
offices  of  selectman,  assessor,  treasurer  and  repre- 
sentative, besides  other  important  trusts  in  town 
and  parish.  He  was  a  native  of  the  west  of  Eng- 
land, but  at  what  time  he  emigrated  to  this  coun- 
try is  not  known.  His  name  is  first  mentioned  in 
the  town  records  in  1686,  and  in  1708,  he  became 
a  member  of  the  church.     His  wife  was  of  a  noble 


HISTORY   OF   BEVERLY.  37 

family ;  but  marrying  contrary  to  the  views  of  her 
friends,  they  were  induced  to  come  to  America*  He 
possessed  considerable  property,  and  traditions  are  fresh 
of  the  superior  style  in  which  his  dwelling  was  furnish- 
ed. His  house  stood  nearly  opposite  the  first  parish 
meeting-house,  and  was  taken  down  about  forty-four 
years  ago.  It  was  elegant  in  its  day,  and  is  now  well 
remembered  for  its  peculiar  form,  and  its  appendages 
and  decorations.  In  1712,  he  presented  .the  town 
with  a  bell  for  the  use  of  the  meeting-house,  and  in 
1718,  he  gave  a  silver  cup  to  the  church.  He  appears 
to  have  been  a  generous  and  public-spirited  man,  and 
his  purse  was  always  at  the  command  of  the  town 
in  anticipation  of  any  want.  His  first  wife,  Abigail, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  church,  died  June  1st, 
1724,  aged  52.  His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Dudley,  of  Exeter,  N.  H.,  in  which  town  he  resided  at 
the  time  of  his  decease.  Among  the  legacies  he  left, 
was  £10  to  Rev.  Thomas  Blowers,  £20  to  the  poor 
of  Beverly,  £10  to  the  poor  of  Exeter,  £10  to  the 
Rev.  John  Odlin,  of  Exeter,  a  silver  tankard  to  the 
church  in  the  same  town,  and  to  his  negro  boy  Cato, 
£20,  a  cow,  and  at  24  years  of  age,  his  freedom.  In 
1832,  one  of  the  public  streets  was  named  in  honor 
of  him,  and  likewise  in  1842,  the  grammar  district 
school-house  received  the  name  of  "  Briscoe  Hall.  " 

In  1694-5,  one  half  of  the  town  tax  was  paid  in 
grain,  at  the  following  prices  :  Indian  corn,  3s;  rye. 
4s ;  barley  and  barley  malt,  4s ;  and  oats,  2s.  per 
bushel.  About  this  period,  the  difierence  in  the  par 
value  of  silver  and  pay^  or  produce,  was  33 J  per 
cent. 

In  1707,  Robin  Mingo,  a  negro  slave,  the  property 
of  Thomas  Woodberry,  was  married  to  Deborah 
Tailor,  an  Indian  woman.  Before  the  ceremony  was 
4 


38  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

performed,  she  agreed  to  Jive  with  her  husband's 
master  and  mistress  during  his  hfe,  to  be  then  •'  dis- 
missed with  only  two  suits  of  clothes  suitable  for 
such  a  person."  July  15, 1722,  Mingo  received  the 
rite  of  baptism,  and  was  admitted  a  member  of  the 
church.  He  was,  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1773, 
the  property  of  Nicholas  Thorndike.  From  him. 
"  Mingo's  Beach  "  is  supposed  to  have  derived  its 
name.  The  number  of  slaves  in  this  town  in  1754, 
was  twenty-eight. 

The  year  1727,  was  memorable  for  an  earthquake, 
which  occurred  about  20  minutes  before  11  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  Oct.  29th.  It  was  felt  through  the  colonies, 
and  made  strong  religious  impressions  on  the  minds 
of  many  in  this  town  and  other  places.  Nov.  18, 
1755,  a  few  minutes  past  4  o'clock,  A.  M.,  another 
earthquake  was  experienced,  more  violent  in  its  mo- 
tions, and  of  longer  duration  than  any  previously 
felt  in  this  quarter  of  the  globe.  Its  greatest  violence 
in  this  town,  was  felt  in  the  neighborhood  of  Colon 
street,  where  several  chimnies  were  thrown  down. 
Stone  walls  were  also  prostrated,  and  ''the  pewter 
shaken  from  the  shelves  "  in  other  parts  of  the  town. 
Both  in  Beverly  and  Salem  a  change  in  the  quality 
of  the  water  in  the  wells  was  noticed.  Water  which 
had  previously  been  soft  and  suitable  for  washing, 
became  hard  and  unfit  for  that  purpose. 

Of  the  citizens  of  this  town  who  occupied  a  con- 
spicuous position,  and  took  a  leading  part  in  public 
affairs,  between  1730  and  1767,  Robert  Hale,  Jr.  was 
distinguished  for  activity  and  influence.  He  was 
born  February  12th,  1702-3,  and  baptized  on  the  21st 
of  the  same  month.  When  between  15  and  16  years 
of  age,  he  was  employed  to  keep  the  grammar  school, 
and  again,  at  a  more  mature  age,  in  1730.     In  1721 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  39 

he  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  to  the  philo- 
sophical department  of  which  he  presented  a  solar 
microscope  and  magic  lantern,  in  1764.  Immedi- 
ately upon  leaving  college,  he  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Manning,  of 
Ipswich,  and  about  1723  engaged  in  a  practice  that 
soon  extended  to  all  the  neighboring  towns.=^  In 
1723  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Oilman,  daughter 
of  Col.  John  Oilman,  of  Exeter.  N.  H.,  who  became 
the  mother  of  three  daughters  ;  Elizabeth,  Rebeccah, 
born  May  27,  1730,  died  April  27,  1732;  and  Rebec. 
kah,  born  Feb.  5,  1732-3,  died  Aug.  23,  1736.  Mrs. 
Hale  died  Aug.  19th,  1736,  in  the  35th  year  of  her 
age.  His  second  marriage  was  with  Elizabeth, 
youngest  daughter  of  Hon.  John  Clarke,  of  Boston, 
Dec.  21,  1737. 

The  energy  of  character,  sound  judgment  and 
business  capacity  of  Dr.  Hale,  were  early  apprecia- 
ted by  his  townsmen,  by  whom  he  was  chosen  to 
fill  the  various  offices  of  surveyor,  selectman,  assess- 
or, town  clerk  and  treasurer ;  besides  the  duties  of 
which,  he  discharged  those  of  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  collector  of  excise  for  Essex  county.  As  chair- 
man of  the  school  committee,  he  took  an  active  and 
efficient  part  in  the  measures  adopted  to  improve  the 
school  system  of  the  town.  For  thirteen  years  he 
represented  the  town  in  the  Oeneral  Court,  during 

*  Col.  Hale  commenced  an  accouftt-book  in  1723,  still  extant,  with 
the  following  sentence :  "  Crescit  nummi  amor  quantum  pecunia 
crescit."  In  this  book  is  an  inventory  of  his  property,  amounting 
July  10,  1729,  to  £1155,13,3,  free  from  incumbrance.  Of  this  sum, 
he  received  from  his  father's  estate,  £790,10,5,  and  of  his  mother's 
thirds,  £300.  In  a  note  to  this  inventory,  he  says  :  "  As  my  father 
died  five  years  before  I  came  of  age,  it  cost  me  £300  at  least,  out 
of  my  estate,  for  my  education,  so  that  by  marrying  and  industry, 
with  God's  blessing,  I  have  gained  £365  in  about  six  years." 


40  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

which  time  he  was  chairman  of  several  important 
committees,  and  a  member  of  many  more,  and  par- 
ticularly of  the  committee  to  inquire  respecting  the 
impressment  of  certain  seamen  in  Nantasket  Roads, 
by  officers  of  the  British  navy,  an  event  made  mem- 
orable in  our  history  by  being  the  occasion  of  serious 
riots  in  Boston. 

In  1726,  Dr.  Hale  made  a  public  profession  of  reli- 
gion, by  uniting  with  the  first  church,  then  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  Thomas  Blowers.  In  1735  he  was 
engaged  in  controversies  and  discussions  growing  out 
of  ecclesiastical  difficulties  in  the  first  church  in  Sa- 
lem, and  in  settling  the  form  of  church  discipline  in 
the  first  church  in  this  town;  and  from  1728  to  1743 
inclusive,  the  parish  records  present  ample  evidence 
of  his  abundant  labors  and  powerful  influence  in  the 
management  of  ecclesiastical  and  parochial  concerns. 

In  1740,  the  pecuniary  embarrassments  of  the  prov- 
ince led  to  various  projects  for  relief  Among  these 
was  an  institution  known  as  the  Land  Bank,  with  a 
capital  of  £150,000,  predicated  on  real  estate.  Of 
this  company  Col.  Hale  was  a  manager,  by  whom 
the  plan  of  operations  was  drafted.  This  scheme, 
from  the  hope  it  inspired,  was  favorably  received  by 
a  large  body  of  the  people,  but  met  with  determined 
hostility  from  Governor  Belcher  and  his  council ; 
and  when  Col.  Hale  presented  a  copy  of  the  plan  to 
be  recorded  in  the  secretary's  office,  it  was  returned 
as  an  indignity.  The  enmity  of  the  governor  prompt- 
ed him  to  visit  his  displeasure  upon  all  persons  con- 
nected with  the  institution.  He  issued  a  proclama- 
tion declaring  his  determination  to  dismiss  every  offi- 
cer, civil  or  military,  who  persisted  "  in  being  any 
way  concerned,  or  giving  any  encouragement  what- 
soever,  to  the  passing"   of  the  Land  Bank   notes  ; 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  41 

and  Col.  Hale,  unwilling  to  sacrifice  his  independ- 
ence, as  well  as  to  prove  faithless  to  an  enterprize  in 
which  he  had  conscientiously  embarked,  tendered 
his  resignation  to  the  governor. 

The  course  pursued  by  the  governor,  in  dismissing 
civil  and  military  officers  on  the  grounds  referred  to, 
was  regarded  as  an  unwarrantable  usurpation  of 
power ;  and  the  exasperation  it  produced  seriously 
threatened  open  rebellion.  Energetic  measures  were 
adopted  to  prevent  an  outbreak.  Public  sentiment, 
however,  could  not  be  controlled,  and  so  powerfully 
was  it  felt  in  the  royal  councils,  that  in  1741  his 
excellency  was  recalled,  and  succeeded  in  office  by 
William  Shirley.=^  Gov.  Belcher  was  doubtless  hon- 
est in  his  intentions  of  reform,  but  injudicious  in  the 
use  of  means.  He  was  subsequently  placed  in  the 
government  of  New  Jersey,  in  consideration,  it  is 
supposed,  of  the  "  terrible  shock"  to  his  feelings 
produced  by  his  removal. f 

*  Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I  have  been  favored  with  the  peru- 
sal of  a  letter  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Robert  Peele,  of  Salem,  writ- 
ten by  Thomas  Hutchinson  to  a  friend  in  this  country,  dated  London, 
May  14th,  1741,  from  which  the  following  extract  is  made  :  "I  sup- 
pose you  will  have  the  first  news  of  Mr.  Shirley's  being  appointed 
our  governor  by  a  vessel  which  sailed  a  few  days  ago  from  Swanzy. 
Several  incidents  have  occurred  to  promote  it.  The  collector's  place 
was  promised  Mr.  Shirley's  family,  and  it  is  said  is  now  insisted 
on  for  Mr.  Franklyn,  and  this  was  a  way  to  satisfy  both.  Your 
two  countrymen,  Waldo  and  Kelly,  claim  the  merit,  and  say  it  is 
owing  to  their  gratifying  the  Duke  of  Grafton,  by  making  interest 
for  Lord  Euston  at  Coventry,  where  they  have  spent  a  month, 
first  and  last,  soliciting  his  election.  But  I  had  it  from  Lord 
President's  own  mouth,  that  Governor  Belcher's  security  for  some 
time  had  been  his  steady  conduct  in  the  affair  of  the  money,  and 
that  his  brother  Partridge,  patronizing  the  Land  Bank  when  be- 
fore the  House  of  Commons,  had  done  his  business." 

t  Hist.  Mass.  Currency. 
4^ 


42  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

In  1745^  Dr.  Hale  received  the  commission  of  colo- 
nel, and  commanded  a  regiment  in  the  expedition 
against  Louisburg.  This  expedition  was  projected 
by  Governor  Shirley.  The  land  force  employed 
consisted  of  3,200  men  from  Massachusetts,  300  from 
New  Hampshire,  300  from  Rhode  Island,  and  500 
from  Connecticut,  all  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
William  Pepperell.  The  naval  force,  for  co-opera- 
tion, was  from  England,  and  commanded  by  Com- 
modore Warren.  For  this  enterprize  a  company 
"was  enlisted  in  Beverly,  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  Benjamin  Ives,  son-in-law  to  Col.  Hale.  "  The 
hardships  of  the  siege  were  without  parallel  in  all 
preceding  American  operations.  The  army  was 
employed  for  fourteen  nights  successively,  in  draw- 
ing cannon,  mortars,  &:c.,  for  two  miles,  through  a 
morass,  to  their  camp.  The  Americans  were  yoked 
together,  and  performed  labor  beyond  the  power  of 
oxen,  which  labor  could  be  done  only  in  the  night, 
or  in  a  foggy  day :  the  place  being  within  clear  view 
and  random  shot  of  the  enemy's  walls."=^  Of  these 
fatigues.  Col.  Hale's  regiment  freely  partook.  His 
position  was  one  of  imminent  danger,  and,  though  a 
part  of  the  time  suffering  from  disease,  he  proved 
himself  an  efficient  officer. f 

The  fall  of  this  "  Dunkirk  of  America,"  upon  for- 
tifying which  twenty-five  years  of  labor  and  thirty 
millions  of  livres  had  been  expended,  astonished  all 
Europe,  and  filled  the  colonies  with  joy.  But  though 
the  merits  of  Gen.  Pepperell  were  acknowledged  by 
the  government,  who  conferred  upon  him  the  title  of 
baronet,  and  placed  him  in  the  command  of  a  regi- 

*  Adams'  Hist.  N.  E.  pp.  123,  124. 

t  See  plan  of  encampment  in  Bancroft's  Hist.  U.  S. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  43 

ment  in  the  British  estabUshment,  there  were  not 
wanting  those  in  influential  stations,  who,  moved 
with  an  unworthy  jealousy  for  British  glory,  sought 
in  public  and  private  to  undervalue  the  services  of 
the  provincial  troops.  Even  Sir  Peter  Warren, 
blinded  by  self-esteem,  or  swayed  for  a  moment  by 
an  influence  inconsistent  with  the  generous  frank- 
ness that  characterizes  a  noble  mind,  sanctioned  by 
his  silence,  at  least,  the  libellous  tales  of  American 
inefliciency.  The  claims  of  Gen.  Pepperell's  army 
to  the  meed  of  approbation,  had,  however,  an  honor- 
able advocate  in  the  person  of  a  high-minded  Briton, 
who  was  in  the  expedition,  and  who  was  an  eye- 
witness to  their  toil  and  bravery.  He  affirms  that 
their  zeal,  unwearied  labor,  and  prompt  execution  of 
orders,  entitle  them  to  the  appellation  of  heroes,  and 
suggests  that  modesty  should  have  dictated  to  Sir 
Peter  Warren  to  disclaim  all  honor  in  the  enterprize, 
other  than  that  arising  from  the  blockade  of  Louis- 
burg  with  his  squadron.^ 

Col.  Hale  was  sensibly  alive  to  American  honor  ; 
and  this  ungenerous  attempt  to  wrest  from  the  pro- 
vincial forces  the  tribute  of  approbation  justly  their 
due,  deeply  wounded  his  sensibility.  In  a  letter  to 
his  friend,  Col.  Pickman,  adverting  to  an  account  of 
the  siege  given  in  a  London  magazine,  he  says :  "it 
is  well  known  to  every  one  engaged  in  the  expedi- 
tion, that  the  British  fleet  never  fired  a  gun,  nor  lost 
a  man,  except  by  sickness,  though  they  have  the 
credit  of  taking  the  place  ;  "  and  he  imputes  the  ex- 
clusive praise  of  British  prowess  to  a  prevalent  im- 
pression in  England,  that  it  was  "  impossible  that  a 

*  Letter  from  "  a  British  merchant,"  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  first  se- 
ries, vol.  i.,  p.  110. 


44  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

New  England  man  could  be  good  for  any  thing  "  of 
a  military  character,  an  imputation  which  he  repels 
with  becoming  contempt,  and  instances  Braddock's 
defeat  and  Sir  H.  Walker's  loss  of  vessels  in  the 
Canada  expedition,  as  disasters  that  would  never 
have  occurred,  had  not  the  British  commanders  been 
too  proud  to  receive  advice  from  provincial  officers 
and  New  England  pilots.  The  great  error  of  the 
British  government,  in  all  their  provincial  enterprizes 
which  failed  of  success,  he  shows,  consisted  in  the 
appointment  of  foreign  officers  to  the  command  of 
troops  raised  here;  when  between  the  former  and 
latter  there  was  no  reciprocity  of  respect  or  confi- 
dence. While  at  Louisburg,  Col.  Hale  enclosed  a 
piece  of  ground  for  cultivation,  which  is  still  famili- 
arly known  to  our  fishermen,  who  visit  it,  as  Col. 
Hale's  garden. 

The  influence  acquired  by  Col.  Hale,  as  a  member 
of  the  General  Court,  and  his  prominence  in  public 
affairs  generally,  probably  led  to  the  appointment  he 
received  from  the  Legislature,  in  1747,  of  commis- 
sioner to  New  York,  to  adopt  measures  in  relation  to 
the  general  defence. 

In  1755,  when  the  government  of  Massachusetts 
Bay  had  determined  on  an  expedition  against  the 
French,  and  the  reduction  of  Crown  Point,  Col.  Hale 
was  selected  by  Governor  Shirley  as  a  suitable  agent 
to  lay  the  subject  before  the  government  of  New 
Hampshire,  and  solicit  their  aid.  His  commission 
bears  date  Feb.  22d,  1755,  and  the  same  day  he  re- 
ceived from  the  governor  a  series  of  instructions,  by 
which  he  was  to"  conduct  the  negotiation.  They  run 
as  follows  : 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  45 

"  You  are  hereby  directed  forthwith  to  proceed  to  Portsmouth, 
with  my  despatches  to  his  excellency,  Bemiiug  Wentworth,  Esq., 
Gov.  of  that  Province.  Upon  your  arrival  there,  and  appearance 
eitlier  before  the  Governor  and  Council  or  the  Genl.  Assembly  of 
that  Province,  or  before  the  Governor  alone  (as  you  may  have  op- 
portunity), you  are  strongly  to  solicit  the  joining  of  that  government 
with  this  and  the  other  two  governments  of  N.  Eng.  &lc.  in  a  vig- 
orous and  speedy  prosecution  of  the  expedition  proposed  in  my 
speech  to  the  Assembly  of  this  Province,  and  to  contribute  to- 
wards the  execution  of  it,  that  government's  quota  of  men  and 
provisions,  set  forth  in  the  said  Assembly's  Resolves,  a  copy  of 
which,  as  also  of  my  said  speech,  will  be  delivered  to  you  :  and 
you  are  in  a  particular  manner,  among  such  reasons  and  argu- 
ments as  shall  occur  to  you,  for  inducing  them  to  join  in  the  said 
expedition,  to  urge  those  which  are  contained  in  my  aforesaid 
speech,  and  in  my  letters  to  the  respective  Governors,  copies  of 
which  last  shall  likewise  be  delivered  to  you. 

"  In  case  you  shall  not  be  able  to  induce  the  said  government  to 
join  in  the  prosecution  of  the  said  expedition,  upon  the  terms  pro- 
posed in  the  before  mentioned  resolves  of  the  Great  and  Genl. 
Assembly  of  this  Province,  you  are  to  desire  of  them  to  let  you 
know  whether  they  will  join  in  it  upon  any,  and  what,  other  terms, 
together  with  the  reasons  of  their  non-compliance  with  those  pro- 
posed by  this  government. 

"  Lastly.  You  are,  from  time  to  time,  to  transmit  to  me  accounts 
of  your  proceedings  herein,  and  the  progress  you  make  in  the  dis- 
charge of  this  commission,  either  by  the  post  or  express,  as  the 
occasion  may  require ;  and  upon  finishing  your  negociations  with 
that  government  you  are  to  return  to  Boston,  and  lay  an  account 
of  your  whole  proceedings  therein,  with  the  final  answer  of  the 
said  government,  before  me. 

"  You  are  to  make  use  or  not  of  the  inclosed  vote  of  the  As- 
sembly, dated  the  27th  of  Feb.,  according  to  your  own  discretion. 
You  are  to  endeavor  to  induce  the  government  of  New  Hampshire 
to  raise  a  greater  number  of  men  than  what  is  mentioned  as  their 
quota,  in  the  resolves  of  the  Assembly,  dated  Feb'y,  provisionally, 
viz  ;  in  case  the  government  of  New  York  shall  not  raise  the  eight 

hundred  men  allotted  to  them  to  raise. 

«W.  Shirley." 


46  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

The  appointment  of  Col.  Hale  on  this  service  was 
most  judicious,  and  met  the  entire  approbation  of 
Governor  Wentworth.  In  reply  to  a  letter  from  Gov. 
Shirley,  urging  the  necessity  of  the  expedition  as  an 
effectual  means  of  checking  the  encroachments  of  the 
French,  and  proposing  to  give  the  command  to  Col. 
William  Johnson,  on  account  of  his  superior  military 
knowledge,  and  his  extensive  influence  over  the  In- 
dians of  the  six  nations,  to  which  he  heartily  assents ; 
Gov.  Wentworth  adds  : 

"With  respect  to  Col.  Hale,  he  will  always  be  well  received  by 
me,  with  the  power  you  are  pleased  to  invest  him  with ;  but  lest 
some  of  our  wrong-headed  people  should  make  opposition  to  what 
he  is  charged  with  from  your  Excellency,  and  thereby  injure  the 
common  cause,  I  should  think  it  best  not  to  make  his  business 
public  until  he  has  consulted  me,  for  a  little  matter  will  sometimes 
overset  the  best  concerted  measures.  He  may  therefore  come  in 
a  private  manner,  and  if  he  can  convert  the  Exeter  members,  who, 
I  am  certain,  will  oppose  this  expedition,  he  will  gain  a  great 
point,  if  not  a  miraculous  one." 

Thus  commissioned  and  instructed.  Col.  Hale  pro- 
ceeded to  Portsmouth,  in  fulfilment  of  his  agency. 
The  aspect  of  the  business  in  its  earlier  stages,  may 
be  learned  from  the  following  letter  to  Governor 
Shirley,  dated 

"Portsmouth,  March  15, 1755. 
«  Sir  : 

I  have  your  Excellency's  of  yesterday  by  express,  bro't  me  to 
Mr.  Wentworth's,  just  after  dinner  with  him  and  the  secretary, 
&c.,  so  that  I  immediately  laid  before  them  the  enclosed  papers, 
which  may  be  of  use. 

"  My  last  to  your  Excellency  was  yesterday  morning  by  the  post, 
when  I  informed  that  I  was  just  going  to  attend  the  committee  of 
both  Houses.  They  consist  of  four  of  each  House.  I  had  little 
occasion  to  say  much  about  the  necessity  of  the  expedition,  being 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  47 

forestalled  by  the  papers  sent  to  Gov.  Wentworth,  with  which  the 
secretary  (one  of  the  committee)  had  made  them  acquainted ;  only 
I  had  taken  some  pains  with  some  in  a  private  way  before.  The 
difficulty  was  about  the  quota  and  want  of  money,  as  in  my  last. 
When  I  had  endeavored  to  answer  all  the  objections  offered  in 
the  conmiittee  on  these  two  heads,  and  some  others  less  interest- 
ing, I  withdrew,  first  telling  them  I  would  be  glad  to  know  their 
report  before  it  was  given  in. 

"  Accordingly,  in  the  afternoon  they  sent  for  me,  and  informed 
me  they  had  agreed  to  100  men.  Your  Excellency  can  better 
imagine,  than  I  express,  my  situation.  I  soon  found  it  to  be  the 
sense  of  tlie  whole  committee.  I  renewed  all  my  former  argu- 
ments, but  in  as  different  lights  as  I  could,  and  added  others, 
which  (being  a  little  reason)  then  occurred  to  me.  They  heard 
me  with  candor  and  attention,  and  afler  about  an  liour  and  a  half, 
I  took  my  leave ;  first  desiring  they  would  take  till  the  morning  to 
consider  the  consequences  of  such  a  report.  This  morning  early. 
Col.  Oilman,  of  Exeter,  (one  of  the  committee)  came  to  my  lodg- 
ings, as  I  had  desired  him  over  night.  We  began  upon  it  again 
and  went  through  every  thing,  but  it  did  not  then  appear  to  make 
any  real  impression  on  him.  Being  uneasy,  I  followed  him  to  the 
lower  House,  called  him  out,  and  urged  some  things  which  had 
escaped  me  in  the  former  conversation.  He  seemed  better  satis- 
fied, and  left  me  about  half  after  ten  to  go  to  the  committee. 
About  one,  Col.  Atkinson  sent  for  me  to  go  with  him  to  dinner 
with  the  governor.  On  the  road  down  he  told  me  they  had  just 
finished  ;  that  the  committee  had  agreed  to  500 ;  but  to  find  sub- 
sistence only  till  they  arrived  at  the  place  of  rendezvous,  intending 
they  shall  go  the  nearest  way  through  the  woods.  I  asked  him 
how  in  that  case  they  would  do  for  shelter  by  the  way.  He  said 
they  should  send  none  but  such  as  should  be  content  to  sit  down 
on  the  ground  and  cover  themselves  with  their  heads.  Every  one 
of  the  committee,  he  said,  had  agreed  to  the  report,  and  he  was 
encouraged  it  would  pass  the  House — of  the  board,  was  no  dan- 
ger.    The  committee  are  of  the  most  leading  men. 

"  On  Monday,  the  report  will  be  made,  after  which  I  shall  move 
for  an  addition,  conditionally,  that  N.  York  find  no  men,  but  pro- 
visions, &.C.,  having  already  hinted  at  it,  but  not  caring  to  urge  it 
till  the  grand  point  was  secured.  I  confess  I  am  not  yet  out  of 
pain  about  the  quota ;  there  being  many  of  the  other  members 
who  don't  seem  inclined  to  enter  into  the  reasons  why  they  should 


48  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

raise  half  so  many  men  as  we,  when  their  province  has  but  a  sixth 
part  so  many  as  ours.*  I  shall  give  my  whole  attention  to  the 
affair,  until  it  has  the  government  fiat,  and  hope  to  send  your  Ex- 
cellency the  best  news  by  the  next  post.  I  should  by  no  means 
have  troubled  your  Excellency  with  so  long  and  particular  a  de- 
tail, if  I  had  not  thought  that  my  instructions  required  it.  If,  in 
that  particular,  I  have  misunderstood  them,  I  ask  your  Excellen- 
cy's excuse,  being,  sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient, 

"  Humble  servant, 

"Robert  Hale." 

"  P.  S.  Those  Piscataqua  men  will  want  at  least  20  whip  saws, 
to  cut  logs  into  boards  for  sheltering  the  army. 

"  P.  S.  2d.  Every  branch  here  affected  to  wonder  how  our  Court 
could  assume  to  prescribe  to  each  government  its  quota,  but  took 
no  exceptions  to  our  leading  the  way." 

The  following  letter  to  Hon.  John  Osborne,  chair- 
man of  the  committee  of  war,  in  Boston,  furnishes 
some  further  particulars  of  this  negotiation  : 

"  Beverly,  April  13,  1755,  evening. 
"Sir: 

"  When  I  waited  on  Gov.  Wentworth,  at  Portsmouth,  on  Fri- 
day evening,  he  told  me  he  had  that  day  signed  the  act  relating 
to  the  expedition,  which  is  conformable  to  the  vote  I  brought 
from  that  court  when  last  there ;  but,  as  New  York  are  now  to 
provide  men  instead  of  warlike  stores  and  provisions,  as  our  court, 
by  the  vote  of  Feb.  27,  expected,  and  as  we  raise  tliree  hundred 
men  more  than  we  at  first  proposed,  I  hoped  that  N.  Hampshire 
would  make  some  addition.  Accordingly,  I  next  morning  went 
to  the  Court  House  and  desired  that  tlie  house,  as  soon  as  met, 
would  adjourn,  and  permit  me  a  conference  with  them.  They 
accordingly  did,  and  I  was  with  them  an  hour  and  half,  and  urged 
every  thing  in  my  power  to  persuade  them  to  find  subsistence  for 
their  men,  at  least  part  of  the  time,  and  their  quota  of  warlike 

*  In  1754  there  were  but  7000  ratable  polls  in  New  Hampshire. 


HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY.  49 

Stores,  but  without  effect.  They  let  me  know  that  they  appre- 
hended five  hundred  men,  subsisted  to  the  place  of  rendezvous, 
and  raised  and  paid  by  them  during  the  expedition,  was  their  full 
quota  of  charge,  compared  with  Massachusetts,  and  much  more 
compared  with  Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  and  New  York ;  and 
though  Fm  very  sure  they  are  mistaken  with  respect  to  us,  yet 
they  continued  so  firm  that  they  did  not  deliberate  half  an  hour 
before  they  determined  not  to  make  any  addition  to  what  they 
have  already  done. 

"  Indeed,  this  has  cost  them  five  weeks'  constant  application, 
which,  being  a  session  of  unusual  length  for  them,  and  they  hav- 
ing been,  for  some  days,  in  hopes  to  rise  that  day,  't  is  not  to  be 
wondered  at  that  they  did  not  incline  to  begin  (as  it  were)  anew. 

"  Their  court  is  adjourned  to  the  23d  instant,  when  I  hope,  if 
Gov.  Shirley,  by  letter  to  Mr.  Wentworth,  shall  think  fit  to  renew 
his  instances  relative  to  subsistence,  warlike  stores,  and  the  en- 
couragement to  the  Mohawks,  they  will  be  induced  to  do  somS" 
thing,  though  I  fear  it  will  not  be  much.  As  to  sending  any  per* 
son  there  again,  it  don 't  appear  to  me  to  be  necessary,  though  if 
any  gentleman  has  a  mind  to  shoAv  his  superior  talents  at  negotia- 
tion, he  will  have  my  hearty  wishes  for  success :  I  have  no  great 
opinion  of  my  own.  I  shall,  however,  by  next  post,  write  to  two 
or  three  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of  that  house,  and  endeavor 
to  prove  to  them  the  necessity  of  their  doing  something  more, 
that  their  minds  may  be  a  little  prepared  to  receive  some  impres- 
sions next  session.  In  the  mean  time.  Gov.  Wentworth  assures 
me  he  shall  raise  all  the  men  he  is  able  to,  even  beyond  the  five 
hundred,  which  may  be  a  great  service  to  us,  if  our  levies  should 
not  be  complete. 

"  I  am  very  sorry  my  journey  has  been  so  fruitless,  but  I  think 
no  endeavors  of  mine  have  been  wanting  to  show  that  I  am  the 
Province's  and, 

"  Sir,  your  most  faithful, 

"  Obedient  servant, 

"  Rob't  Hale. 

"  P.  S.    I  have  a  very  great  desire  to  know  how  many  men 
of  the  four  regiments  were  raised  in  this  province,  and  how  many 
in  New  Hampshire.    I  suppose  it  not  difficult  to  find  cut  by  in- 
quiry of  the  officers ;  and  though  it  might  give  your  honor  some 
5 


50  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

trouble,  yet,  as  it  may  be  of  considerable  use,  I  beg  the  favor  I 
may  have  the  account  as  soon  as  may  be." 

The  commission  of  Col.  Hale  was  conducted  with 
great  skill,  and  with  entire  satisfaction  to  Gov.  Shir- 
ley, whose  letters  pending  the  result,  partake  more 
of  confidential  friendship,  than  of  official  formality. 
In  a  letter  dated  March  16th,  he  writes :  "  It  is  a 
peculiar  satisfaction  to  me,  that  a  gentleman  in 
whose  capacity  to  conduct  so  intricate  an  affair,  as 
well  as  important  an  one  as  this  is,  I  have  the  ut- 
most confidence,  hath  the  management  of  it."  After 
some  little  delay  and  several  interviews  with  com- 
mittees, to  whom  Col.  Hale  presented  the  subject  in 
the  light  best  adapted  to  obtain  their  concurrence, 
he  succeeded  in  securing  five  hundred  men  as  the 
quota  of  New  Hampshire,  which,  though  one  hund- 
red less  than  the  number  designated  by  Massachu- 
setts, was  a  far  more  favorable  result  than  the  oppo- 
sition manifested,  warranted  him  to  hope  for. 

On  his  return  home,  Col.  Hale  entered  with  in- 
terest into  the  arrangements  of  the  expedition  ;  and, 
to  aid  those  under  whose  direction  they  were  made, 
he  furnished  a  schedule,  predicated  upon  his  mili- 
tary experience,  of  the  principal  articles  necessary 
for  the  service.  His  talents  and  service  entitled 
him  to  a  command  in  this  expedition;  and  from  a 
fragment  of  a  letter  to  Gov.  Shirley,  now  extant, 
there  is  ground  for  the  inference  that  he  had  reason 
to  expect  it.  But  from  causes  unknown,  probably 
from  an  apprehension  on  the  part  of  the  appointing 
power  that  his  health  was  inadequate  to  the  fatigues 
of  field-service,  instead  of  such  appointment,  he 
received  an  offer  of  a  medical  post,  which  he  re- 
spectfully but  pointedly  declined. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  51 

In  1761,  Col.  Hale  received  from  Governor  Francis 
Bernard,  a  commission  of  sheriff  for  Essex  county, 
the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  which  office,  he  dis- 
charged with  characteristic  fidelity. 

The  Land  Bank  before  referred  to,  unlike  almost 
every  .other  enterprize  with  which  Col.  Hale  was 
connected,  failed  of  answering  the  expectations  of  its 
founders ;  not  so  much  perhaps  from  the  imperfec- 
tions of  the  scheme,  as  from  an  opposing  influence 
originating  in  a  quarter  difficult  to  reach  and  equally 
so  to  resist.  But  though  the  course  pursued  by  him 
in  this  matter,  was  one  that  he  could  review  with 
satisfaction,  prompted  as  it  had  been  throughout  by 
the  purest  motives,  still,  the  failure  was  a  source  of 
deep  mortification  ;  and  the  suspicions  of  fraudulent 
management  afloat  at  the  time,  entirely  unfounded 
as  they  were  in  regard  to  the  managers  generally, 
and  peculiarly  unjust  as  directed  against  Col.  Hale, 
wrought  upon  a  sensitive  nature,  and  seriously 
affected  his  health  and  spirits.  His  highly  honora- 
ble and  useful  life  was  terminated  by  lingering  sick- 
ness in  1767,  in  the  65th  year  of  his  age. 

The  decease  of  Col.  Hale  was  a  severe  loss  to  this 
town.  For  a  period  of  more  than  forty  years  he  had 
been  connected  with  its  affairs,  and  was  frequently 
its  agent  for  the  accomplishment  of  local  objects. 
The  many  reports  drawn  up  by  him  which  are 
found  in  the  church,  parish  and  town  records,  dis- 
play a  talent  for  drafting  papers  in  a  concise,  ener- 
getic and  business-like  manner ;  and  the  appearance 
of  the  town  and  parish  records,  at  the  several  pe- 
riods when  he  was  clerk,  show  his  accuracy  and 
ability  in  the  execution  of  that  office.  His  charac- 
ter was  every  where  sustained  for  persevering  indus- 
try and  active  enterprize.     He  exerted  a  controlling 


52  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

influence  over  those  with  whom  he  was  associated, 
and  his  quahfications  to  govern  were  freely  admitted. 
Yet  in  the  exercise  of  this  power,  he  was  actuated 
by  the  dictates  of  moraUty  and  rehgion.  Few  are 
now  living  who  remember  him  in  life,  but  tradition 
abounds  and  is  redolent  with  the  mention  of  his  vir- 
tues. 

Col.  Hale,  during  his  life-time,  owned  and  occu- 
pied the  estate  that  had  been  the  property  of  both  his 
father  and  grandfather,  and  which  is  now  in  the 
possession  of  his  descendants.  He  left  no  sons.  His 
eldest  daughter,  Elizabeth,  was  married  to  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin Ives,  who  died  about  1773.  Robert  Hale  Ives, 
a  son  by  this  marriage,  was  born  .Tuly  18th,  1744, 
and  soon  after  his  grandfather's  decease,  was  con- 
nected with  the  public  atTairs  of  the  town.  His  son, 
Thomas  Poynton  Ives,  was  born  in  Beverly,  April 
9th,  1769,  and  for  forty-three  years  was  an  eminent 
merchant  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  where  he  died  April 
30th,  1835,  aged  sixty-six  years.  He  was  of  the 
house  of  Brown  &  Ives,  than  which  none  in  this 
country  has  maintained  a  higher  character  for  integ- 
rity and  well-directed  enterprize,  and  in  which  his 
sons,  Moses  and  Robert  Hale  Ives,  are  now  part- 
ners. He  was  distinguished  for  untiring  industry, 
high  mercantile  probity,  unostentatious  benevolence, 
generous  hospitality,  and  ardent  love  of  country. 
He  was  twenty-four  years  president  of  the  Provi- 
dence Bank,  and  fifteen  years  president  of  the  Sav- 
ings Institution  in  that  city.  He  was  a  friend  and 
liberal  benefactor  of  Brown  University,  and  for  forty- 
three  years  a  member  of  its  board  of  trustees.  To 
the  community  with  which  he  was  so  long  identi- 
fied, he  bequeathed  an  example  of  unblemished  hon- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  53 

or,  and  of  faithful  service  for  the  good  of  others;  and 
to  his  children,  not  only  ample  fortune,  but  what  is 
far  more  valuable,  the  record  of  a  father's  worth — 
the  simple  dignity  of  his  name  and  character. 


REVOLUTIONARY   PERIOD. 


In  the  events  which  preceded  the  revolution,  and 
which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  an  independ- 
ent republic,  this  town  took  a  hvely  interest ;  and  its 
contributions,  in  talents  and  treasure,  were  large  and 
efficient.  The  repeal  of  the  odious,  as  unwise,  stamp 
act,  in  1765,  was  celebrated  with  illuminations,  bon- 
fires, and  other  demonstrations  of  triumph.  The 
various  infractions  of  colonial  rights,  on  the  part  of 
Great  Britain,  were  condemned  in  the  most  decided 
language;  and  from  time  to  time  measures  were 
adopted  for  resisting  oppression,  and  for  obtaining  a 
redress  of  grievances.  The  town  unanimously  con- 
curred in  the  non-importation  plan ;  and  with  a  zeal 
scarcely  inferior  to  that  which  animated  the  Boston 
"  tea  party,"  sought  to  abolish  the  use  of  the  article, 
for  the  sale  of  which  the  East  India  Company  held 
the  monopoly.  This  movement  found  more  grace  in 
the  eyes  of  those  by  whom  it  was  commenced,  and 
who  yielded  to  the  promptings  of  the  sternest  enthu- 
siasm, than  in  the  sight  of  the  gentler  sex ;  for  though, 
to  use  the  expression  of  a  living  witness,^^  "  the 
women  were  all  liberty  men,  and  threatened  to  scald 
the  tories,"  still  the  delicious  infusion  of  the  China 
plant  was  a  luxury  all  were  not  quite  prepared  to 

*  Ebenezer  Rea. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  65 

repudiate  ;  and  many  amusing  traditions  are  extant, 
of  expedients  practised  for  its  secret  enjoyment,  se- 
cure from  the  indignation  of  the  sterner  sex,  whose 
patriotic  ardor  enabled  them  to  maintain  the  most 
rigid  self-denial.  These  arts,  however,  were  some- 
times thwarted,  and  the  "  drawings"  of  the  "  tea- 
caddy,"  to  the  chagrin  of  an  expectant  coterie,  were 
despoiled  of  their  aroma  by  an  unseen,  but  liberal 
deposit  of  "  Virginia  twist."  =^ 

In  the  preliminary  measures  to  which  reference 
has  been  made,  the  town  proceeded  with  moderation. 
No  threats  of  revolt  were  uttered,  but  a  determina- 
tion was  firmly  expressed  to  preserve  the  inviolability 
of  their  rights.  In  a  letter  of  instruction,  addressed 
to  their  representative,  Henry  Herrick,  Oct.  21, 1765, 
they  say,  "  We  cannot,  without  criminal  injustice  to^ 
those  glorious  princes.  King  William  and  Queen  Ma- 
ry, or  to  the  memory  of  our  venerable  fathers,  nor 
without  the  highest  injustice  to  ourselves  and  to  pos- 
terity, consent  to  yield  obedience  to  any  law  what- 
soever, which,  by  its  natural  constitution  or  just  con- 
struction, deprives  us  of  the  liberty  of  trial  by  juries; 
or  of  our  choosing  meet  persons  to  represent  us  in 
the  assessing  or  taxing  our  estates  for  his  Majesty's 
service.  And  we  do  accordingly  advise  and  instruct 
you,  our  representative,  to  refuse  your  consent,  in 
any  such  case,  and  do  all  that  in  you  lies,  to  prevent 
all  unconstitutional  drafts  upon  the  public  treasury.'*^ 
In  the  same  letter,  they  express  their  unqualified 
disapprobation  of  the  riotous  attack  upon  the  house 

*  A  hearty  patriot  coining  home  unexpectedly  one  day,  found 
a  company  of  his  wife's  neighbors  assembled  to  tea.  He  said 
nothing,  but  revenged  himself  by  putting  a  large  "quid"  of  to- 
bacco in  the  tea-pot.  Sometimes,  to  escape  detection,  the  ladies 
drank  their  tea  in  the  cellar. 


56  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

of  Lieut.  Gov.  Hutchinson,  and  others,  and  declare, 
''that  such  is  our  abhorrence  of  such  riotous  and 
mobbish  behavior,  that  we  are  fully  determined,  as  a 
town,  to  stand  by  each  other  in  suppressing  such 
disorders  at  all  hazards,"  though,  at  the  same  time, 
as  at  a  subsequent  meeting,  they  were  opposed  to 
the  loss  being  remunerated  from  the  public  treasury. 

It  would  be  interesting,  did  the  limits  of  this  vol- 
ume permit,  to  transcribe  the  transactions  of  the 
various  town  meetings,  from  1765  to  the  close  of  the 
revolutionary  struggle  in  1783,  as  illustrative  of  the 
patriotism  and  devotion  which  animated  every  breast. 

On  the  17th  Sept.,  1768,  they  chose  Henry  Herrick 
a  delegate  to  join  with  delegates  from  Boston  and 
other  towns  in  convention,  to  consult  and  advise  on 
the  state  of  the  province,  in  which,  however,  he  was 
to  abstain  from  any  act  of  disrespect  to  parliament, 
and  of  disloyalty  to  the  King.  In  their  further  in- 
structions to  him,  as  representative.  May  22,  1769, 
they  say,  "  We  apprehend  that  no  power  on  earth 
can  justly  deprive  us  of  our  essential  rights,  and  that 
no  man  can  be  safe,  either  as  to  his  life,  liberty  or 
property,  if  a  contrary  doctrine  should  prevail ; 
therefore  we  recommend  to  you  a  firm,  but  prudent 
opposition  to  all  unconstitutional  measures." 
'  Among  other  important  measures  adopted  by  the 
town,  was  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  corre- 
spondence and  safety,  which  consisted,  at  different 
periods  from  1773  until  the  close  of  the  war,  of  John 
Leach,  Benjamin  Jones,  Henry  Herrick,  Samuel 
Goodridge,  Josiah  Batchelder,  Jr.,  Josiah  Batchelder, 
Joshua  Cleaves,  Larkin  Thorndike,  Joseph  Wood, 
Nicholas  Thorndike,  William  Bartlett,  Andrew  Cab- 
ot, Joseph  Orne,  Benj.  Lovett,  Jr.,  Nathan  Leach, 
Caleb  Dodge,  Joseph  Rea,   Livermore  Whittredge, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 


57 


Benjamin  Smith,  William  Longdell,  Edmund  Giles, 
Jonathan  Conant,  John  Conant,  Isaac  Thorndike, 
Isaac  Chapman,  Thomas  Stephens,  John  Lovett,  3d, 
William  Dodge,  WiUiam  Taylor,  and  Asa  Leach. 
Of  the  letters  addressed  by  this  committee  to  the 
central  committee  in  Boston,  the  three  following 
have  been  preserved  : 

"  To  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  the  town  of  Boston: 
"  Gentlemen  : 
"  Inclosed  you  have  the  transactions  of  this  town,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  resolves  of  the  metropolis  of  this  province,  and  the 
letter  of  correspondence  herewith  transmitted,  whereby  you  will 
perceive  the  sentiments  of  this  town  with  regard  to  the  common 
cause  in  which  we  are  all  concerned.  In  the  name  of  the  town 
we  return  thanks  for  the  early  care,  taken  by  the  town  of  Boston, 
to  communicate  the  most  early  intelligence  of  any  alarming  cir- 
cumstances that  they  have,  with  regard  to  any  infringement?  on 
our  rights  as  Christians,  subjects,  or  colonists. 

"  And,  gentlemen,  inasmuch  as  we  are  all  concerned  in  one 
common  cause,  we  shall  esteem  it  as  a  favor  of  a  free  correspond- 
ence, that  we  may  have  the  most  early  intelligence  of  any  interest- 
ing events  of  a  public  nature,  as  you  live  in  the  metropolis,  that 
we  may  concur  with  you  in  any  salutary  constitutional  measures 
for  the  good  of  all ;  and  arc,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  regards, 
"  Your  most  humble  servants, 
"  John  Leach,  Samuel  Goodridge, 

Benj.  Jones,  Josiah  Batchelder,  Jr. 

Henry  Herrick, 
*'  Beverly,  Jan,  11,  1773." 

The  transactions  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  letter 
were  the  doings  of  town  meetings  held  Dec.  21, 
1772,  and  by  adjournment,  Jan.  5th,  1773,  at  which 
it  was  affirmed  that  "the  rights  of  the  colonists 
in  particular  as  men,  as  Christians,  and  as  sub- 
jects, are  studiously,  rightly  and  justly  stated  by 
the   committee  of  correspondence   for   the  town   of 


58  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

f 

Boston,"  and  Col.  Henry  Herrick,  the  representative 
from  Beverly,  is  instructed  to  "endeavor,  as  much 
as  possible,  in  a  legal  and  constitutional  way,"  to 
effect  a  redress  of  the  "  intolerable  grievances"  to 
which  the  colonies  had  been  subjected,  and  to  secure 
the  preservation  of  all  the  "  rights,  liberties  and 
privileges,  both  civil  and  sacred,"  guaranteed  by  the 
charter.l  Instructions,  similar  in  their  tenor,  were 
given  to  Josiah  Batchelder,  Jr.,  who  was  chosen  rep- 
resentative to  the  General  Court,  Sept.  26,  1774. 

To  the  Same, 

"  Beverly,  Nov.  10,  1773. 
"  Gentlemen  : 

"  Yours  of  the  21st  Sept.  we  have  received  and  observe  the 
contents,  and  are  sensible  of  the  justness  of  the  sentiments 
thereof,  in  which  we  harmonize,  and  are  fully  of  opinion  that  no 
other  measures  can  be  come  into  so  salutary  as  a  strict  union  of 
all  the  colonies  for  a  redress  of  the  many  grievances  the  colonies 
labor  under  from  the  acts  of  parliament  imposing  duties  on  certain 
articles  for  the  express  end  of  raising  a  revenue  on  the  people  of 
the  colonies  without  their  consent,  out  of  which  revenue  the  gov- 
ernor and  other  great  officers  are  paid,  whereby  they  are  inde- 
pendent of  this  province  for  their  support, — as  also  many  other 
grievances,  which  are  so  well  known  we  shall  not  at  this  time 
enumerate.  We  are  heartily  sorry  to  hear  the  petition  of  our  as- 
sembly hath  not  been  regarded  by  our  most  gracious  sovereign 
(as  we  have  been  informed),  which  we  fear  will  be  disagreeable  to 
many  of  his  majesty's  faithful  subjects  in  America.  As  we  live 
at  a  distance  from  the  metropolis,  and  can't  possibly  have  the  first 
intelligence,  we  shall  esteem  it  a  favor  from  you,  of  any  intelli- 
gence, and  shall  heartily  concur  with  you  in  any  salutary  meas- 
ures for  the  recovery  of  our  just  rights  :  and  are  grieved  tliat  his 
majesty  is  deaf  to  the  complaints  of  his  subjects  in  America,  who, 
we  think,  are  as  faithful  subjects  as  any  in  his  dominions.  We 
are  sensible  that  the  good  people  of  this  town  are  fully  in  the  sen- 
timents you  have  exhibited  to  us  in  your  several  letters,  for  which 
we  are  obliged  to  you,  and  hope  you  will  still  continue  to  write  to 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  59 

US  of  every  thing  of  a  public  nature  you  may  think  worthy  of  a 
communication. 

"  We  are,  gentlemen,  your  humble  serv'ts 
"  And  entire  friends, 

"Sam'l  Goodridge,  Clerks 
"  Signed   by  order  of  the  Com.  of  \ 
Cor.  for  the  town  of  Beverly. 

To  the  Same. 

"  Beverly,  Jan.  4,  1774. 
"  Gentlemen  : 

"  Yours  of  Nov.  23d,  1773,  and  the  inclosure,  we  have  received, 
but  not  till  the  11th  ultimo,  for  which  we  return  our  warmest 
thanks.  As  early  as  possible  we  comm.unicated  yours  to  our  town, 
but  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  hindered  a  general  attendance 
of  its  inhabitants.  The  meeting  was  adjourned  to  this  day.  In- 
closed you  have  the  resolution  they  then  came  into,  by  which  you 
will  perceive  the  sentiments  of  this  town.  We  heartily  concur 
with  you  in  every  salutary  measure  for  preventing  the  enslaving 
or  ruining  ourselves  and  posterity.  But  we  hope,  gentlemen,  we 
shall  have  a  union  amongst  ourselves  and  all  our  brethren  of  the 
several  colonies  on  this  continent,  which  we  think  will  be  the  best 
means  to  obtain  a  redress  of  the  many  grievances  we  at  present 
labor  under. 

"  We  are,  gentlemen, 

"  Your  sincere  friends  and  humble  serv'ts, 

"  By  order  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence, 

"  Samuel  Goodridge,  Clerk." 

The  following  resolution  referred  to,  was  adopted 
at  a  town  meeting,  Jan.  4,  1774,  in  the  following 
words  : 

''  That  the  method  of  introducing  tea  into  this  prov- 
ince in  the  method  proposed  by  the  British  ministry, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  East  India  Company,  is  justly  and 
fairly  stated  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Boston; 
and  that  it  is  the  sentiment  of  this  meeting,  that  they 


60  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

will  always,  in  every  salutary  method,  cheerfully 
join  with  our  brethren  of  the  town  of  Boston,  and 
every  other  town  in  this  province,  in  withstanding 
every  unlawful  measure  tending  to  enslave  us,  or  to 
take  our  money  from  us  in  any  unconstitutional 
manner." 

A  true  copy  :  attest, 

Joseph  Wood,    T.   Clerk. 

On  the  6th  and  7th  September,  1774,  a  county 
convention  was  held  at  Ipswich,  to  consider  the  situ- 
ation of  public  affairs,  in  which  this  town  was  re- 
presented by  Benj.  Lovett,  Samuel  Goodridge,  and 
Joseph  Wood.     Of  this   convention  Jeremiah  Lee, 
of  Marblehead,  was   chairman,    and   John    Picker- 
ing, jr.  of  Salem,  clerk.     In  the  report  made  by  a 
committee,  which  was  unanimously  accepted,  they 
express  their  loyalty  to  the  king,  and  their  readiness 
to  support  with  their  lives  and  fortunes,  his  person, 
crown,  dignity  and  constitutional  authority.    "  But," 
they  add,  "  by  the  horrors  of  slavery,  by  the  happi- 
ness attending  virtuous  freedom,  we  are  constrained 
to  declare,  that  we  hold  our  liberties  too  dear  to  be 
sported  with,  and  are  therefore,  most  seriously  de- 
termined to  defend  them.     This,  in  the  present  dis- 
pute,  we   conceive   may  be   effected   by   peaceable 
measures.     But   though,   above   all   things,   slavery 
excepted,  we   deprecate   the  evils   of  a   civil  Avar; 
though  we  are  deeply  anxious  to  restore  and  pre- 
serve harmony  with  our  brethren  in  Great  Britain ; 
yet,  if  the  despotism  and   violence  of  our  enemies 
should  finally  reduce  us  to   the  sad  necessity,  we, 
undaunted,  are  ready  to  appeal  to  the  last  resort  of 
states ;  and  will,  in  support  of  our  rights,  encounter 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  61 

even  death,  sensible  that  he  can  never  die  too  soon, 
who  lays  down  his  life  in  support  of  the  laws  and 
liberties  of  his  country." 

To  an  attentive  observer,  it  was  evident  that  a 
crisis  in  American  aifairs  was  near — that  a  drama, 
the  closing  act  of  which  was  known  only  to  the 
Ruler  of  the  universe,  was  soon  to  open.  The  19th 
of  April  came,  mild  and  with  summer's  loveliness. 
The  sun  rose  with  unclouded  splendor,  and  the  hus- 
bandman went  forth  to  his  peaceful  pursuits,  and 
each  man  to  his  caUing.  Soon  the  scene  changed. 
Groups  were  gathered  at  the  corners  of  the  streets 
in  earnest  conversation,  men  were  seen  hurrying  to 
and  fro,  drums  beat  to  arms,  and  stern  determina- 
tion was  depicted  on  every  countenance.  What  had 
given  rise  to  this  commotion  ?  The  appearance  of  a 
messenger,  proclaiming  as  he  went,  that  a  detach- 
ment from  the  British  army  in  Boston,  had  the  night 
before  left  the  city  in  silence,  to  seize  and  destroy 
military  stores  deposited  at  Concord.  The  effect 
was  electric.  The  fire  of  patriotism  burst  forth  with 
volcanic  power.  Capt.  Joseph  Rea,  who  command- 
ed a  company  of  militia,  mounted  his  horse  and 
posted  with  all  possible  dispatch  to  the  Farms  with 
the  intelligence,  proclaiming  it  aloud  by  the  way. 
Capt.  Caleb  Dodge  and  others,  following  his  exam- 
ple, rode  oflf  in  other  directions.  The  call  to  resist 
this  act  of  aggression,  met  a  hearty  and  united  re- 
sponse. The  farmer  left  his  plough  in  the  field,  the 
mechanic  his  work-shop,  and  the  merchant  his  store  ; 
.and  before  3  o'clock  p.  m.  a  large  proportion  of  the 
male  population  of  the  town,  capable  of  bearing 
arms,  had  gone  forth,  or  were  assembled  in  prepara- 
tion to  march  to  the  rescue. 

The  consternation  felt  by  the  more  timid  portion 
6 


62  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

of  the  female  population,  in  prospect  of  being  left 
defenceless,  was  great.  A  large  number  having  by 
mutual  instinct  collected  together,  their  condition 
was  freely  discussed.  "Our  husbands  and  sons  are 
gone,"  they  despondingly  said,  ''  and  none  are  left 
to  protect  us.  If  the  regulars  come  during  their  ab- 
sence, what  will  become  of  us,  what  shall  we  do?" 
"  Do?"  exclaimed  a  stout-hearted  mother  present,  =^  a 
fair  representative  of  many  hearts  bold  and  deter- 
mined as  her  own  ;  "  Do  ?  who  cares  for  the  regulars  ? 
Let  them  come  ;  and  if  they  do  not  behave  them- 
selves, we'll  take  our  brooms  and  drive  them  out  of 
town." 

The  British  troops  paid  dear  for  their  success  at 
Concord,  and  their  subsequent  wanton  devastations 
when  returning  to  Boston.  The  blood  shed  at  Lex- 
ington was  the  signal  for  retaliation.  The  provin- 
cials, finding  life  and  every  thing  valuable  at  stake, 
assumed  their  native  valor  and  returned  the  fire  at 
Concord  bridge  with  deadly  effect.  As  the  troops 
retreated,  the  discharge  of  musquetry  was  kept  up 
without  intermission  from  walls,  fences,  houses, 
trees  and  barns,  until  they  were  met  by  a  reinforce- 
ment under  the  command  of  Lord  Percy,  who  with 
two  field-pieces  kept  the  provincials  at  bay  for  a 
time.  The  people,  however,  flocking  in  from  all 
quarters  in  great  numbers,  the  attack  was*»renewed, 
and  a  galling  covered  fire  was  continued  until  the 
enemy  reached  Charlestown,  having  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men  killed  and  wounded,  and  some  taken 
prisoners.!    Of  the  men  from  Beverly,  Reuben  Kenx. 

♦Mrs.  Hannah,  wife  of  Josiah  Batchelder,  jr. 
■^Journals  Prov.  Congress,  Mass.  pp.  662,  681,  682. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  63 

nison  was  killed,  and  Nathaniel  Cleaves,  Samuel 
Woodberry  and  William  Dodge  were  wounded.^^ 

The  effects  of  this  outrage  upon  the  inhabitants 
of  Beverly,  were  such  as  might  be  expected  on  a 
people  who  understood,  and  were  determined  to 
maintain,  their  rights.  In  May,  the  selectmen  paid 
£26.10.6  for  blankets  to  be  supplied  to  the  army, 
raised  for  eight  months  by  the  province.  Other 
sums  were  subsequently  appropriated  for  the  same 
purpose,  and  purchases  were  made  of  the  house- 
holders who  cheerfully  parted  with  a  part  of  their 
family  stock  for  the  public  use.  In  the  work  of 
supplies,  female  patriotism  was  warmly  engaged 
during  the  whole  revolutionary  contest.  Cloth  was 
woven,  stockings  were  knit,  and  garments  made  for 
the  soldiers  to  a  large  amount,  and  every  call  for  aid 
was  cheerfully  and  promptly  met.  y=^ 

On  the  16th  Jan.,  1775,  Josiah  Batchelder,  Jr.,  was 
chosen  to  represent  the  town  in  a  provincial  con- 
gress to  be  held  at  Cambridge,  "to  consult  and  de- 
liberate upon  such  further  measures  as,  under  God, 
shall  be  effectual  to  save  this  people  from  impending 
ruin,  and  to  secure  those  inestimable  liberties  derived 
from  our  ancestors." 

This  year  the  town  voted  to  raise  fifty-six  minute 
men,  including  officers,  who  were  to  parade  two  half 
days  in  each  week,  during  the  pleasure  of  the  town, 
to  learn  the  military  art.  The  vote  for  paying  the 
minute  men  creating  dissatisfaction,  as  no  other 
towns  had  adopted  the  practice,  it  was  repealed 
Feb.  29th,  just  one  month  after  its  passage.     A  mili- 

*  The  widow  of  Kennison,  after  marrying  a  second  time,  died 
Oct.  22,  1842,  aged  89.  She  retained  in  her  possession  till  her  death, 
the  shirt  worn  by  her  first  husband  when  killed. 


64  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

tary  watch,  of  sixteen  persons,  in  four  divisions,  was 
established,  and  a  watch-house  for  each  division  or- 
dered to  be  built.  The  committee  of  correspondence 
were  also  directed  to  appoint  a  captain  and  other 
necessary  officers,  with  a  sufficient  number  of  men, 
to  exercise  the  cannon  in  the  fort  or  breastwork  on 
Woodberry's  head,  for  which  service  they  were  to 
be  paid  a  reasonable  sum.  They  were  likewise 
directed  to  enlist  "  a  number  of  men,  to  make  up 
forty  in  the  whole,  to  repair  to  the  fort,  as  their 
alarm-post,  in  case  of  an  alarm." 

One  morning  in  the  autumn  of  1775,  a  privateer 
schooner  sailed  from  Beverly  on  a  cruise.  She  had 
not  been  long  out,  when  she  was  discovered  by  the 
British  ship  of  war  Nautilus,  of  twenty  guns,  who 
immediately  bore  down  upon  her.  The  superior 
force  of  the  enemy  induced  the  captain  to  put  back. 
The  chase  was  continued  until  he  gained  the  harbor 
and  grounded  on  the  flats.  It  being  ebb-tide,  the 
Nautilus  came  to  anchor  outside  the  bar,  and  opened 
a  fire  on  the  town.  The  meeting-house  being  the 
most  conspicuous  object,  several  shots  were  aimed  at 
it,  one  of  which  penetrated  the  chaise-house  of  Thom- 
as Stephens,  destroying  his  chaise,  and  another  struck 
the  chimney  of  a  house  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
street,  scattering  its  fragments  in  every  direction. 
This  unceremonious  assault  proved  too  much  for  the 
equanimity  of  its  patriotic  occupant.  He  seized  his 
musket,  and  rushing  to  the  beach,  returned  the  com- 
pliment with  hearty  good  will.  Immediately  upon 
the  commencement  of  firing,  many  females  residing 
in  exposed  situations,  hastily  retired  to  places  of 
greater  security.  There  were  some,  however,  who, 
"  made  of  sterner  stuff","  paid  little  attention  to  this 
demonstration  of  hostility,  and  continued  their  do- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  65 

mestic  occupations  as  though  nothing  uncommon 
was  going  on.  Of  this  class,  was  a  good  lady,  the 
wife  of  a  devoted  friend  to  American  freedom,  who 
was  at  the  moment  engaged  in  preparing  a  batch  of 
bread  for  the  oven.  The  house  she  occupied  was 
directly  in  the  range  of  the  meeting-house,  and  liable 
to  be  struck  by  every  discharge.  Her  brother, 
anxious  for  her  safety,  came  in,  and  informing  her 
of  the  danger,  desired  her  to  take  her  child,  and 
proceed  by  a  circuitous  route  to  a  place  beyond 
the  reach  of  the  enemy's  guns,  while  he  would  rally 
a  company  to  resist  any  attempt  to  land.  To  this 
she  demurred ;  she  felt  no  alarm.  Besides,  her  oven 
was  heating,  the  bread  was  nearly  ready,  and  as  to 
leaving  before  it  was  set  in,  she  could  not  think  of 
it  !  She  was  finally  prevailed  on  to  forego  this  reso- 
lution and  retire.  As  she  was  passing  around  the 
south-eastern  corner  of  the  common,  curiosity  pre- 
vailed over  apprehension;  and,  climbing  upon  the 
wall,  she  stood  in  full  view  of  the  enemy's  vessel, 
surveying  the  scene,  until  a  cannon-ball  striking  the 
earth  near  her,  gave  decided  intimation  that  it  was 
time  to  depart. 

The  alarm  spread  rapidly,  and  soon  men  were  seen 
with  their  fire-arms  hurrying  from  every  quarter  to 
the  defence  of  the  landing.  Among  the  earliest  on 
the  ground,  was  Col.  Henry  Herrick,  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  committee  of  correspondence,  and  whose 
patriotic  spirit  greatly  contributed  to  the  energetic 
action  of  the  town  in  furnishing  men  and  supplies 
for  the  army.  The  confusion  of  the  moment  did 
not  make  him  forgetful  of  the  dignity  of  his  offi- 
cial character ;  and  with  characteristic  regard  for 
eflfect,  and  disregard  of  danger,  he  appeared  on  the 
beach  in  full  military  costume,  a  conspicuous  mark 
6* 


66  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

for  the  enemy's  aim.  The  commander  of  the  Nau- 
tihis  soon  found  himself  in  an  awkward  position. 
Owing  to  an  unlucky  choice  of  anchorage,  the  re- 
ceding tide  left  his  vessel  aground,  which  careened 
so  that  he  was  unable  to  bring  a  single  gun  to  bear. 
In  the  mean  time,  the  citizens  of  Salem  opened  a  fire 
upon  her  from  the  Hospital  point,  with  several  four 
and  six  pounders,  while  a  number  of  good  marks- 
men, concealed  among  the  rocks  on  the  Beverly  side, 
rendered  it  hazardous  for  an  ofiicer  or  man  to  appear 
on  deck.  In  this  condition,  without  power  to  offer  a 
single  token  of  his  good  or  ill  will,  he  lay  until  dark, 
Avhen,  the  tide  floating  his  vessel,  he  weighed  anchor 
and  stood  out  to  sea,  carrying  with  him  no  very 
pleasant  recollections  of  his  introduction  to  the  citi- 
zens of  this  town. 

The  importance  of  fortifying  the  town  was  now 
apparent.  Breastworks  were  thrown  up  on  Wood- 
berry's  point  and  Paul's  head,  and  furnished  with 
cannon,  and  measures  were  adopted  to  procure  a 
supply  of  ammunition.  The  committee  of  safety 
applied,  through  William  Bartlett,  Esq.,  the  navy 
agent,  to  General  Washington  for  assistance,  who 
directed  the  following  reply : 

"  Cambridge,  13th  Dec.  1775. 
"Sir: 

"Your  letter  of  the  11th,  with  a  petition  from  the  committee  of 
correspondence  for  the  town  of  Beverly  to  his  Excellency,  is  come 
to  hand.  The  General  desires  me  to  inform  the  committee  that 
he  would  have  great  pleasure  to  comply  with  their  request  in  the 
fullest  extent,  could  he  do  it  consistent  with  that  attention  which 
he  must  pay  to  the  safety  of  the  whole  ;  that  you  may  spare  them 
such  pieces  of  cannon  as  are  not  at  present  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  armed  vessels ;  that  you  may  also  spare  them  such  a 
quantity  of  the  shot  that  is  on  board  the  brig,  as  they  may  think 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  67 

necessary  for  their  immediate  use,  taking  from  the  committee  an 
obligation  to  return  the  same,  or  the  value  of  them,  because  these 
articles  must  be  made  good  to  the  captors  and  the  continent. 

"  As  to  the  article  of  powder,  that  is  of  a  very  delicate  nature  ; 
but  to  show  his  willingness  to  serve  the  good  people  of  Beverly, 
it  is  his  Excellency's  desire  that  you  keep  in  your  possession  what 
powder  you  have  found  on  board  the  prizes,  making  an  immediate 
return  of  the  quantity  unto  him.  If  it  should  so  happen  that  the 
town  and  harbor  is  attacked  by  the  enemy,  the  General  consents 
that  you  lend  the  same  unto  the  committee,  at  the  same  time 
taking  their  obligation,  for  reasons  as  before  assigned  for  the 
shot.  This  is  the  most  effectual  way  his  Excellency  can  think  of 
to  answer  the  prayer  of  their  petition,  and  this  you  will  please  to 
communicate  unto  them. 

"  I  am  sir,  your  most  ob't  serv't, 

"  Stephen  Motlan,  P.  T.  S. 

"  William  Bartlett,  Esq." 

In  Jan.  1776,  the  town  voted  to  hire  twenty-four 
men  to  guard  on  the  seacoast  by  night-watches,  at 
West's  beach  and  near  Benj.  Smith's  house.  Of 
these  watches  Benj.  Smith  and  Azariah  Woodberry 
were  appointed  captains,  and  £100  were  provided  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  guarding  the  town.  At  this 
time.  Col.  Glover,  with  the  14th  regiment  of  the  con- 
tinental army,  was  stationed  here,  who  maintained  a 
watch  at  the  fort. 

The  progress  of  events  had  now  prepared  the  pub- 
lic mind  for  the  declaration  "  that  these  United  Colo- 
nies are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  Free  and  Inde- 
pendent States;"  and  in  anticipation  of  such  a  meas- 
ure, the  town,  at  a  meeting  June  13,  1776,  twenty- 
one  days  before  it  transpired,  voted,  that  should  the 
Continental  Congress,  for  the  safety  of  the  colonies, 
declare  them  independent  of  Great  Britain,  they 
solemnly  pledged  ''  their  lives  and  fortunes  to  sup- 


68  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

port  them  in  it."  The  General  Court  having  recom- 
mended to  the  towns  to  consider  the  proposed  arti- 
cles of  confederation  and  union  among  the  states, 
the  town,  at  a  meeting  Feb.  4,  1778,  empowered  and 
instructed  its  representative  to  act  and  do  anything 
relative  thereto,  that  in  his  judgment  would  be  most 
for  the  public  good.  May  22d,  the  constitution  of 
government  devised  by  a  convention  of  the  State, 
having  been  laid  before  the  town  for  its  considera- 
tion, it  was  rejected  by  a  vote  of  22  to  3  ;  and  George 
Cabot,  Rev.  Joseph  Willard  and  William  Bartlett, 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  instructions  to 
the  representative,  expressing  the  reasons  of  dissent. 
It  is  an  elaborate  and  interesting  document,  evincing 
a  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  subject ;  and  while 
it  disclaims  all  disposition  "  to  prevent  good  order, 
and  encourage  anarchy  and  opposition  to  equal  gov- 
ernment," it  claims  the  right  of  opposing,  "  with  a 
decent,  but  manly  and  zealous  freedom,"  any  form 
which  they  conscientiously  think  '•'  does  not  tend  to 
the  public  welfare." 

In  1778,  a  requisition  was  made  on  the  town  to 
reinforce  the  army  in  Rhode  Island ;  and  the  three 
captains  of  the  militia  companies,  assisted  by  their 
subalterns,  were  authorized  to  obtain  the  quota  on 
the  best  terms  possible,  "  giving  the  preference  to 
town  inhabitants." 

Paper  money  had  at  this  period  so  much  deprecia- 
ted as  to  demand  an  effort  for  its  improvement ;  and 
July  12,  1779,  Geo.  Cabot  and  Joseph  Wood  were 
appointed  delegates  to  a  convention  to  be  held  at 
Concord,  for  the  purpose  of  "  adopting  such  meas- 
ures as  shall  be  necessary  to  carry  into  effect,  by 
common  consent,  the  important  object  of  appreciat- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  69 

ing  the  paper  currency."  At  a  subsequent  meeting, 
the  proceedings  of  this  convention  were  highly  ap- 
proved. A  county  convention  having  been  held  at 
Ipswich,  Aug.  19,  to  regulate  the  prices  of  labor, 
produce,  and  other  articles,  the  proceedings  were 
approved  and  adopted  by  the  town,  and  a  committee 
appointed  to  prepare  a  list,  and  cause  it  to  be  print- 
ed, for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants.  This  list  com- 
prises nearly  one  hundred  articles,  from  which  the 
following  are  selected  :  West  India  rum,  £6.6.0  per 
gal;  N.  England,  £4.16.0;  molasses,  £4.7.0 ;  coffee, 
18s.  per  lb. ;  chocolate,  24s. ;  corn,  £4.16.0  per  bush.; 
rye,  £6]  beans.  £7.10.0;  house  carpenter's  labor, 
£3.6s.8d.  per  day;  mason's,  80  to  92s;  shoeing  a 
horse  all  round,  plain,  £5.8.0  ;  neat's  leather  or  calf- 
skin shoes,  £7.7.0  ;  making  suit  of  clothes,  superfine 
broadcloth,  £18 ;  spinning  20  knots  linen  yarn,  10s. 
8d;  mug  of  flip  or  toddy,  made  of  good  W.  I.  rum, 
15s;  a  good  dinner  at  the  tavern,  £1.1.0;  sexton, 
for  digging  the  grave  of  a  grown  person,  £4.10.0. 
These  prices  were  those  paid  in  currency,, and  not 
in  silver,  one  dollar  of  which,  in  1781,  was  equal  to 
$40  of  the  new  emission  paper,  and  .$3200  of  the  old. 
In  1779,  a  fine  of  £5400  was  assessed  on  the  town 
by  the  General  Court,  for  failing  to  supply  the  num- 
ber of  militia  required  by  a  previous  resolve ;  and 
March  13,  1780,  a  petition  for  its  remission  was  pre- 
pared. The  petition  stated,  that  the  town  had  ever 
been  a  steady  friend  and  firm  advocate  of  the  revo- 
lution, and  that  the  present  delinquency  was  a  con- 
sequent of  "  early  and  punctual  compliance  with 
precedent  requisitions,"  which  had  exhausted  them 
of  men  and  much  money.  Appeal  is  made  to  the 
public  records,  in  evidence  ''  that  their  quota  of  the 


70  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

continental  army  in  1777,  and  the  many  levies  of 
militia,  had  been  furnished  with  a  steadiness  equal- 
led in  but  few  other  places ;"  to  which  it  is  added, 
"  that  as  a  town  they  had  furnished  more  men,  and 
been  at  greater  expense  in  carrying  on  the  war,  than 
almost  any  other  town,  in  proportion  to  their  abili- 
ties"— a  fact  that  the  proceedings  of  numerous  town 
meetings,  from  1765  to  1783,  conclusively  demon- 
strate. 

In  August,  this  year,  George  Cabot  and  Joseph 
Wood  were  elected  delegates  to  a  convention  to  meet 
at  Cambridge,  on  the  1st  Sept.  following,  for  the 
purpose  of  framing  a  new  State  constitution.  At 
the  town  meeting  in  May,  1780,  it  was  submitted  for 
consideration ;  and,  after  being  read  and  discussed, 
it  was  referred  to  Josiah  Batchelder,  George  Cabot, 
and  Rev.  Joseph  Willard,  "  to  revise,  examine,  and 
make  such  remarks  on  the  same  as  they  might  think 
best."  At  an  adjourned  meeting  the  subject  was 
further  discussed,  and  the  report  of  the  committee, 
together  with  sundry  proposed  amendments  and  in- 
structions, was  adopted  by  a  unanimous  vote. 

From  the  commencement  of  the  war  until  its  ter- 
mination, this  town  was  largely  engaged  in  priva- 
teering. Between  March  and  November,  1781,  fifty- 
two  vessels,  carrying  746  guns,  with  crews  of  3940 
men,  Avere  fitted  out  and  chiefly  owned  in  Salem  and 
Beverly.^  Among  the  successful  commanders  Avere 
Captains  Eleazer  Giles,  Elias  Smith,  Hugh  Hill,  and 
Benjamin  Lovett.  In  1776,  Capt.  Giles  sailed  from 
this  port  in  a  brig  of  ten  guns,  and  soon  after  fell  in 
with   a   fleet  of  merchantmen,    laden    with   stores, 

*  Felt's  Annals. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  71 

bound  from  Jamaica  to  London,  four  of  which  he 
succeeded  in  capturing,  viz :  the  ship  Lucia,  400 
tons,  brigs  Alfred,  Success,  and  another,  name  un- 
known, of  300  tons  each.  On  another  cruise  he 
was  less  successful.  Falling  in  with  a  British  ves- 
sel, of  equal  or  superior  force,  and  relying  on  the 
boasted  bravery  of  a  newly  shipped  crew,  he  gave 
battle.  Immediately  upon  the  attack,  a  portion  of 
his  men  proved  by  their  conduct  that  his  confidence 
in  their  bravery  had  been  misplaced ;  and  after  a 
short,  but  sharp  engagement,  in  which  he  was 
wounded,  he  was  compelled  to  surrender,  and  was 
carried  into  Halifax. 

Capt.  Smith,  a  courageous  and  dignified  officer, 
commanded  the  ship  Mohawk,  of  20  guns,  and 
cruised  oflf  the  West  Indies.  In  1781  he  fell  in  with, 
and  after  a  short  engagement  captured,  a  Guineaman 
of  16  guns,  which  he  sent  into  Beverly.  When  the 
captain  came  on  board  to  surrender  his  sword,  he 
was  presented  to  Capt.  Smith,  who  stood  abaft  the 
wheel,  clad  in  a  sailor's  coarse  pea-jacket,  with  a 
red  bandanna  tied  round  his  head,  as  a  substitute 
for  a  tarpaulin.  "  Do  you  command  this  vessel, 
sir?"  inquired  the  captain  of  the  slaver.  "Yes, 
sir,"  replied  Smith,  folding  his  arms,  and  with  char- 
acteristic pohteness  making  a  very  low  bow,  "in  the 
room  of  a  better." 

Capt.  Hill,  who  came  early  to  this  country  from 
Ireland,  commenced  privateering  in  the  Pilgrim,  of 
twenty  guns,  the  building  of  which  he  superintended 
at  Newburyport.  He  was  a  brave  and  generous  offi- 
cer, and  distinguished  for  humanity  to  his  prisoners. 
On  one  cruise,  while  sailing  with  the  English  ensign 
at  mast-head  as  a  decoy,  he  was  boarded  by  the 
captain  of  a  British  vessel  of  war,  who  not  suspect- 


72  HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY. 

ing  the  character  of  his  entertainer,  remarked  that  he 
was  "in  search  of  that  notorious  Hugh  Hill."  Un- 
prepared at  the  moment  for  an  engagement  with  so 
formidable  a  foe,  Capt.  Hill  replied  that  he  was  on 
the  look-out  for  the  same  individual,  and  hoped  soon 
to  meet  him.  After  spending  some  time  on  board 
without  penetrating  the  disguise,  the  officer  departed. 
In  the  course  of  a  few  days,  Captain  Hill  again  en- 
countered his  visiter.  The  American  flag  was  imme- 
diately run  up,  and  an  engagement  ensued,  which 
resulted  in  the  capture  of  his  British  antagonist,  who, 
with  his  vessel,  was  sent  into  Beverly.  Capt.  Hill's 
principal  theatre  of  action  was  the  coast  of  Ireland, 
where  he  captured  many  vessels,  and  greatly  annoyed 
British  commerce.  After  leaving  the  Pilgrim,  he 
commanded  the  Cicero,  and  took  several  prizes. 
Probably  more  captured  vessels  were  brought  into 
this  port  than  into  any  other  in  New  England,  the 
cargoes  of  which  furnished  important  and  seasonable 
supplies  for  the  continental  army. 

Among  the  enterprizing  and  successful  commanders 
not  engaged  in  privateering,  was  Capt.  John  Tittle. 
During  the  revolutionary  war,  he  sailed  in  a  letter  of 
marque,  in  company  with  two  other  vessels,  for  a 
port  in  France.  They  were  fallen  in  with  by  three 
British  cruisers  ;  and  as,  from  the  superiority  of  force, 
resistance  appeared  vain.  Tittle's  companions  bore 
off  before  the  wind,  with  the  hope  of  escape.  One 
succeeded,  and  the  other  was  captured.  In  the  mean- 
time, Capt.  T.  was  attacked  by  two  of  the  enemy, 
and,  nothing  daunted,  returned  their  fire  for  the  space 
of  two  hours,  by  which  time  all  his  canvass  above 
the  lower  yards  was  shot  away.  The  crew,  over- 
come with  fear  by  the  seeming  desperation  of  their 
situation,  began   to  abandon  the  guns — whereupon 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  73 

the  captain  drew  his  sword,  and  ordering  them  back  to 
duty,  threatened  to  run  the  first  man  through  who 
again  left  his  quarters.  At  this  moment  the  third 
enemy  bore  up,  and  haihng  Capt.  T.  commanded  him 
to  strike  his  colors.  To  this  he  replied,  ''  It  will  be 
time  enough  to  strike  when  compelled;"  and  then 
addressing  the  crew,  ''  we  '11  try  them  a  little  longer." 
The  battle  was  continued  another  hour  with  great 
spirit ;  when  a  shot  taking  effect  between  wind  and 
water,  silenced  one  of  the  enemy,  and  night  coming 
on,  they  all  drew  off  and  left  Capt.  T.  to  pursue  his 
voyage  without  further  molestation. 

Foremost  among  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  the 
revolution,  from  this  town,  and  eminent  also  as  an 
enterprizing  and  valued  citizen,  was  Col.  Ebenezer 
Francis.  He  was  born  at  Medford,  Mass.,  Dec.  22, 
1743,  and  in  1764  removed  to  Beverly. 

His  opportunities  for  acquiring  an  education  in 
youth,  had  been  quite  defective.  But,  by  diligent 
self-culture,  he  had  early  fitted  himself  to  engage 
extensively  and  successfully  in  business  transactions, 
and  to  take  a  respectable  stand  by  the  side  of  the  best 
educated  and  informed,  in  the  prominent  stations  he 
afterwards  occupied  before  the  town  and  his  country. 
Notwithstanding  the  disadvantages,  in  this  respect, 
under  which  he  had  labored,  and  which  he  had  been 
obliged  by  himself  mainly  to  overcome — probably 
induced,  in  no  small  measure,  by  this  very  circum- 
stance— he  took  a  warm  and  efficient  interest  in  the 
schools.  And  it  is  worthy  of  mention,  as  evincing 
at  once  his  interest  in  them  and  his  resolute  spirit, 
that  in  one  instance,  when  the  scholars  of  one  of  the 
districts,  (now  called  the  Cove  district,)  had  risen 
against  their  master,  and  compelled  him  to  abandon 
7 


74  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

his  post,  he  immediately  undertook  the  government 
and  instruction  of  the  school,  and  very  soon  not  only 
quelled  the  rebellion,  but  restored  a  wholesome  state 
of  discipline  and  improvement. 

In  1766  he  was  married  to  Miss  Judith  Wood,  by 
whom  he  had  four  daughters  and  a  son.  He  was 
actively  and  extensively  engaged  in  business  till  the 
war  broke  out.  He  had,  however,  taken  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  political  agitations  which  preceded  it. 
Convinced  that  resort  must  finally  be  had  to  arms  in 
deciding  the  controversy  between  this  and  the  mother 
country,  he  paid  much  attention  to  military  science 
and  exercises  himself,  and  encouraged  it  as  far  as  hs 
could  in  his  fellow-patriots.  His  three  brothers  par- 
took of  the  same  martial  spirit,  and  all  of  them  be- 
came officers  in  the  revolutionary  service.  By  his 
stature,  which  was  tall  and  imposing,  as  well  as  by 
talents  and  character,  he  was  fitted  to  command. 
Accordingly,  he  at  once  occupied  a  prominent  stand 
among  those  who,  on  the  first  shedding  of  blood, 
were  ready  to  take  up  arms.  In  less  than  three 
months  from  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  he  re- 
ceived a  captain's  commission  from  the  Continental 
Congress,  which  was  dated  July  1,  1775.  Early  in 
the  following  year,  he  had  risen  to  the  rank  of  Colo- 
nel,  and  commanded  a  regiment  stationed  on  Dor- 
chester heights,  near  Boston,  from  Aug.  to  Dec. 
1776.  Under  his  prompt  and  thorough  discipline, 
his  men  were  shortly  trained ;  so  that  in  his  regi- 
mental orders  of  Aug.  29,  1776,  he  "  flatters  himself 
that  they  will  soon  attain  that  degree  of  soldiership 
that  will  be  but  a  little  inferior  to  the  most  veteran 
troops."  By  a  commission  dated  Nov.  19,  1776,  he 
was  authorized  by  Congress  to  raise  a  regiment  in 


HISTORY    OF    BEVEELY.  75 

the  State  of  Massachusetts ; — which  was  raised,  un- 
der the  name  of  the  11th  Massachusetts  regiment, 
and  retained  that  designation  through  the  war.  At 
the  head  of  this  regiment,  Col.  Francis  marched  in 
Jan.  1777,  to  Ticonderoga.  With  that  regard  for 
religion,  which  was  a  characteristic  of  his  life,  he — 
previously  to  setting  out  on  the  march— had  his  regi- 
ment assembled  to  attend  religious  services  in  the 
meeting-house  of  the  first  parish.  Those  who  re- 
member that  occasion,  express  in  glowing  terms  their 
recollections  of  its  interest  and  solemnity.  Associ- 
ated with  him  on  that  perilous  expedition  into  the 
wilderness,  were  many  brave  and  noble  spirits,  and 
some  of  them  highly  educated.  His  revered  and 
beloved  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Hitchcock,  of  the  second 
parish,  in  Beverly,  and  afterwards  minister  of  a 
church  in  Providence,  R.  Island,  accompanied  the 
regiment  as  chaplain,  having  succeeded  in  that  sta- 
tion the  celebrated  Dr.  Cutler,  of  Hamilton.  Henry 
Herrick,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  and,  after 
the  war,  a  distinguished  teacher  in  Beverly,  was 
adjutant  of  the  regiment.  Moses  Greenleaf,  collector 
of  Newburyport,  under  the  federal  government,  and 
father  of  Prof.  Greenleaf,  now  of  the  law  college,  at 
Cambridge,  was  a  captain  in  it.  A  private  journal 
of  Capt.  Greenleaf,  which  is  now  in  the  library  of 
the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  narrates  the 
principal  events  which  occurred  while  the  regiment 
was  stationed  at  Ticonderoga,  and  afterward,  on  its 
retreat,  with  the  rest  of  the  garrison,  before  the  over- 
powering forces  of  Burgoyne.  From  that  is  gathered 
the  following  graphic,  though  melancholy  sketch  of 
the  closing  scenes  in  the  life  of  Col.  Francis.  "  14th 
June,    heard   enemy's    morning  gun — Indians   and 


76  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

others  near — skirmishes.  2d  July,  enemy  advance, 
with  two  frigates  of  twenty-eight  guns  and  fifty  gun- 
boats— land  troops  about  two  miles  from  us.  Satur- 
day, 5th  July,  at  12  o'clock,  spied  British  troops  on 
the  mountain  overlooking  Ticonderoga — at  9,  receiv- 
ed the  disagreeable  news  of  leaving  the  ground.  At 
2,  next  morning,  left  Ticonderoga — at  4,  Mount  In- 
dependence ;  after  a  most  fatiguing  march,  arrived 
same  day  at  Hubbardton,  (near  Whitehall,  N.  Y.), 
twenty-two  miles  from  Mount  Independence — sup- 
ped with  Col.  Francis — encamped  in  the  woods,  the 
main  body  going  on  about  four  miles.  Monday,  7th 
July,  1777,  breakfasted  with  Col.  F.  At  7,  he  came 
to  me,  and  desired  me  to  parade  the  regiment,  which 
I  did  :  at  7J  he  came  in  haste  to  me,  told  me  an  ex- 
press had  arrived  from  Gen.  St.  Clair,  informing  that 
we  must  march  with  the  greatest  expedition,  or  the 
enemy  would  be  upon  us, — also,  that  they  had  taken 
Skeensborough,  with  all  our  baggage ;— ordered  me 
to  march  the  regiment — immediately  marched  a  part 
of  it.  At  twenty  minutes  past  7,  the  enemy  appeared 
within  gunshot  of  us;  we  faced  to  the  right,  when 
the  firing  began,  which  lasted  till  8S  a.  m.,  without 
cessation.  Numbers  fell  on  both  sides  ;  among  ours, 
the  brave  and  ever  to  be  lamented  Col.  Francis,  who 
fought  bravely  to  the  last.  He  first  received  a  ball 
through  his  right  arm,  but  still  continued  at  the  head 
of  our  troops,  till  he  received  the  fatal  wound 
through  his  body,  entering  his  right  breast  ;  he 
dropped  on  his  face.  Our  people,  being  overpowered 
by  numbers,  were  obliged  to  retreat  over  the  moun- 
tains, enduring  on  their  march  great  privations  and 
sufferings."  Thus  fell,  in  the  prime  of  manhood, 
one  of  the  most  promising  officers  of  the  revolution, — 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  77 

one  whose  bravery  and  valor,  friends  and  foes  alike 
were  forward  to  acknowledge — whose  worth,  the 
aged,  that  knew  him,  still  delight  to  recount,  and 
whose  untimely  loss  they  yet  with  flowing  tears 
lament. 

The  following  excellent  letter  from  his  pastor  and 
the  chaplain  of  his  troops,  conveyed  the  sad  tidings 
of  his  fall  to  her,  who  was  most  nearly  and  deeply 
interested  in  the  event. 

"Moses  Creek,  July  21, 1777. 
"Dear  Mrs.  Francis: 

"My  heart  is  filled  with  compassion  and  sympathy  for  you, 
while  I  relate  the  melancholy  tale  of  the  fall  of  my  dear  friend, 
the  Colonel.  You  will  consider  this  event  as  under  the  government 
of  that  God,  who  has  an  undoubted  right  to  do  as  seemeth  Him 
good,  and  therefore,  endeavor  to  command  your  passions  into  a 
silent  submission  to  His  will.  If  there  is  any  consolation  in  the 
gospel,  I  think  you  may  accept  it.  I  doubt  not,  your  loss  is  his 
greater  gain  :  I  can  witness  to  his  uniformly  good  conduct  in  the 
army,  in  discountenancing  vice,  and  encouraging  virtue  ;  in  set- 
ting before  his  men  an  example  of  sobriety,  and  an  attendance 
upon  duties  of  piety.  No  officer  so  noticed  for  his  military  accom- 
plishments and  regular  life  as  he.  He  lived  universally  beloved, 
the  loss  of  him  as  generally  lamented.  While  these  things  make 
you  look  upon  your  loss  the  greater  they  might  administer  to  you 
unspeakable  consolation.  He  was  not  unmindful  of  the  dangers 
of  the  field,  being  appointed  to  bring  up  the  rear-guard.  He 
supposed  it  probable  they  might  be  attacked,  and  therefore,  de^ 
sired  me  to  take  care  of  his  knapsack  with  what  was  in  it,  if  I 
could  not  save  anything  else,  which  I  did,  though  I  lost  my 
clothes  by  doing  it.  He  was  in  good  spirits  when  I  parted  with 
him  the  evening  before  the  retreat.  He  mentioned  his  being 
equally  exposed  to  fall  with  others,  but  seemed  willing  to  commit 
himself  to  Providence,  and  leave  the  event.  His  conduct  in  the 
field,  is  spoken  of  in  the  highest  terms  of  applause.  He  has  em- 
balmed his  name  in  immortal  fame.  I  must  conclude  by  wishing 
7# 


78  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

you  all  Divine  supports.    Trust  in  God.    He  will  provide  for  you 
and  the  fatherless  children. 

"  From  your  sincere  and  affectionate  friend, 

"E.  Hitchcock." 

Subjoined  are  extracts  from  "  Travels  in  America, 
by  a  British  officer,"  who  was  in  the  battle  of  Hub- 
bardton,  and  afterwards  quartered  as  prisoner  in  the 
vicinity  of  Boston. 

"  The  rear  guard  of  the  enemy  was  composed  of  chosen  men, 
commanded  by  a  Col.  F.,  who  was  reckoned  one  of  their  best 
officers. 

"  At  the  commencement  of  the  action  the  enemy  were  every 
where  thrown  into  the  greatest  confusion ;  but  being  rallied  by 
that  brave  officer,  Col.  Francis,  whose  death,  though  an  enemy, 
will  ever  be  regretted  by  those  who  can  feel  for  the  loss  of  a 
gallant  and  brave  man,  the  fight  was  renewed  with  tlie  greatest 
degree  of  fierceness  and  obstinacy. 

"  A  few  days  since,  walking  out  with  some  officers,  we  stopped 
at  a  house  to  purchase  vegetables.  Whilst  the  otlier  officers 
were  bargaining  with  the  woman  of  the  house,  I  observed  an 
elderly  woman  sitting  by  the  fire,  who  was  continually  eyeing  us, 
and  every  now  and  then  shedding  a  tear.  Just  as  we  were  quit- 
ting the  house  she  got  up,  and  bursting  into  tears,  said,  '  gentle- 
men, will  you  let  a  poor  distracted  woman  speak  a  word  to  you 
before  you  go  ?'  We,  as  you  must  naturally  imagine,  were  all 
astonished ;  and  upon  inquiring  what  she  wanted,  with  the  most 
poignant  grief  and  sobbing  as  if  her  heart  was  on  the  point  of 
breaking,  asked  if  any  of  us  knew  her  son,  who  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Hubbardton,  a  Col.  Francis.  Several  of  us  informed 
her  that  we  had  seen  him  after  he  was  dead.  She  then  inquired 
about  his  pocket-book,  and  if  any  of  his  papers  were  safe,  as 
some  related  to  his  estates,  and  if  any  of  the  soldiers  had  got  his 
watch  ;  if  she  could  but  obtain  that  in  remembrance  of  her  dear, 
dear  son,  she  should  be  happy.  Capt.  Ferguson,  of  our  regiment, 
who  was  of  the  party,  told  her,  as  to  the  Colonel's  papers  and 
pocket-book,  he  was  fearful  tliey  were  either  lost  or  destroyed ; 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  79 

but  pulling  a  watch  from  his  fob,  said,  *  there,  good  woman,  if 
that  can  make  you  happy,  take  it,  and  God  bless  you.'  We  were 
all  much  surprized,  as  unacquainted  that  he  had  made  a  purchase 
of  it  from  a  drum-boy.  On  seeing  it,  it  is  impossible  to  describe 
the  joy  and  grief  that  was  depicted  in  her  countenance  ;  I  never 
in  all  my  life  beheld  such  a  strength  of  passion  ;'she  kissed  it, 
looked  unutterable  gratitude  at  Capt.  Ferguson,  then  kissed  it 
again ;  her  feelings  were  inexpressible ;  she  knew  not  how  to 
express  or  show  them ;  she  would  repay  his  kindness  by  kind- 
ness, but  could  only  sob  her  thanks  ;  our  feelings  were  lifted  up 
to  an  inexpressible  height ;  we  promised  to  search  after  the  pa- 
pers, and  I  believe  at  that  moment,  could  have  hazarded  life  it- 
self to  procure  them." 

This  watch  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Col.  Fran- 
cis' son,  Ebenezer  Francis,  Esq.  of  Boston. 

John  Francis,  a  brother  of  Col.  Francis,  was  born 
in  Medford,  Sept.  28th,  1753,  and  previously  to  the 
revolutionary  war,  removed  to  this  town.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  struggle  for  freedom,  he  en- 
tered the  service  of  his  country.  He  was  an  adju- 
tant in  the  regiment  commanded  by  his  brother,  and 
fought  by  his  side  in  the  battle  of  Hubbardton.  He 
subsequently  held  the  same  office  in  the  regiment 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Benj.  Tupper,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  war  during  the  first  six  years,  an  ac- 
tive and  rising  officer.  He  was  in  several  battles, 
was  wounded  at  the  capture  of  Burgoyne,  and  re- 
tired, with  honor,  from  the  army.  In  1786,  he  raised 
a  company  in  Beverly  and  Danvers,  and  marched  in 
Col.  Wade's  regiment,  to  suppress  Shays'  rebellion. 
He  was  captain  of  the  militia  company  in  the  second 
parish,  and  afterwards  commanded  the  Beverly  regi- 
ment. He  was  also  for  many  years  a  selectman,  and 
served  in  other  important  municipal  offices.  He  was 
amiable  in  his  domestic  relations,  and  much  esteemed 


80  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

for  his  hospitality  and  cheerfulness.  He  died  July 
30th,  1822,  in  the  69th  year  of  his  age. 

Capt.  Joseph  Rea,  of  whom  mention  has  been 
made  in  the  preceding  pages,  was  the  son  of  Gideon 
Rea,  who  owned  and  lived  on  the  estate  now  the 
property  of  Mr.  Edward  T.  Proctor,  in  the  second 
parish.  He  was  born  in  1736,  baptized  by  Mr. 
Chipman,  Aug.  1,  the  same  year,  and  died  in  1798, 
in  his  63d  year.  He  was  an  efficient  member  of  the 
committee  of  correspondence,  and  commanded  a 
company  enlisted  in  Beverly  and  Lynn,  sent  to  the 
aid  of  Washington,  in  New  Jersey.  His  sons  were 
Isaac,  Gideon,  Joseph  and  Ebenezer. 

Ebenezer  Rea  is  still  living,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-two.  He  was  fifteen  when  the  battle  of  Lex- 
ington took  place,  and  retains  a  vivid  recollection  of 
events  that  transpired  in  this  town  during  the  revo- 
lutionary war.  In  1778,  he  enUsted  under  Capt. 
Jeremiah  Putnam,  of  Danvers,  from  whose  company 
he  was  drafted,  with  others,  to  fill  up  a  regiment  sta- 
tioned at  East  Greenwich,  R.  I.  After  his  term  of 
service  expired,  he  shipped  on  board  the  Resource, 
Capt.  Richard  Ober,  of  Beverly,  and  sailed  for  the 
West  Indies.  On  the  voyage  he  was  taken  by  a  Brit- 
ish sloop-of-war,  and  carried  into  Jamaica.  Here, 
instead  of  being  confined  as  prisoners,  he  and  a  part 
of  the  crew  were  transferred,  as  sailors,  to  the  frigate 
Pelican,  Capt.  Collingwood,  afterwards  second  in  com- 
mand with  Nelson  at  the  battle  of  Trafalgar,  and  for 
more  than  a  year  was  not  permitted  to  go  on  shore.=* 

*  Capt.  Collingwood  is  described,  by  Mr.  Rea,  as  of  a  tall,  com 
nianding  figure,  dark  complexion,  with  black  eyes,  from  whose 
piercing  glance  nothing  on  shipboard  escaped.     He  was  a  rigid  dis- 


HISTORY   OF   BEVERLY.  81 

While  cruising  on  that  station,  in  August,  1781,  the 
PeUcan  encountered  a  severe  hurricane,  and  was 
wrecked  on  the  rocks  of  Morant  Keys.  Four  of  the 
crew  were  lost.  The  remainder  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing a  small,  uninhabited  island,  on  rafts,  where  they 
remained  ten  days,  with  but  little  food,  and  were 
taken  off  by  the  Diamond  frigate,  which  came  to 
their  relief  from  Jamaica.  On  returning  to  that  island, 
Mr.  Rea  and  several  of  his  shipmates  were  put  on 
board  the  Hinchinbroke,  and  one  daj?",  while  lying  at 
Port  Royal,  they  obtained  permission  to  go  on  shore. 
Tempted  by  so  favorable  an  opportunity,  they  deter- 
mined to  desert  from  a  service  into  which  they  had 
been  forced,  and,  if  possible,  return  to  their  native 
land.  The  resolution  was  more  easily  formed  than 
executed.  Unforeseen  obstacles  beset  their  design  ; 
and,  after  wandering  up  and  down  the  island  for 
twenty-five  days,  inventing  various  stories  to  escape 
suspicion,  and  heartily  wishing  more  than  once  that 
they  had  never  undertaken  a  plan  so  seemingly  im- 
practicable, they  were  forced  to  return  to  the  very 
place  from  which  they  started.  Fortunately,  they 
unobserved  got  on  board  a  cartel  ship,  bound  to  Ha- 
vana, with  Spanish  prisoners,  the  commander  of 
which  W2LS  in  want  of  seamen.  They  frankly  in- 
formed him  who  they  were  and  what  they  had  done, 
and  he,  with  a  kindness  for  which  they  hardly  dared 
to  hope,  shipped  them  at  once  for  the  voyage.  On 
arriving  at  Havana,  they  were  paid  off  and  dis- 
charged, and  Mr.  Rea  then  took  passage  for  Boston 


ciplinarian,  but  kind  to  the  crew,  not  permitting  the  petty  officers 
to  impose  upon  them.  He  never  used  profane  language,  and  often 
on  the  Sabbath  officiated  as  chaplain. 


82  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

on  board  a  brig  commanded  by  Capt.  Henry  Higgin- 
son.  When  on  soundings,  off  New  York,  the  brig 
was  taken  by  a  British  cruiser  and  carried  into  that 
port.  He  was  immediately  put  on  board  the  Jersey 
prison-ship,  Avhere  he  was  confined  from  January  to 
May,  1782,  when  he  was  exchanged  and  returned  to 
his  friends. 

Sept.  14,  1774,  Major  John  Leach  deceased,  in  the 
74th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  among  the  active 
whigs  of  the  early  part  of  the  revolution,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  committee  of  correspondence  in  this 
town  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

In  the  preceding  February  of  this  year,  a  donation 
was  made  by  the  town  for  the  relief  of  the  poor  in 
Boston,  consisting  of  two  barrels  of  sugar,  one  bar- 
rel of  rum,  five  and  a  half  quintals  of  fish,  one  hun- 
dred and  five  pounds  of  coffee,  two  cheeses,  eight 
pairs  of  women's  and  five  pairs  of  men's  leather 
shoes,  one  hide  of  upper-leather,  three  curried  calf- 
skins, sixteen  pounds  of  chocolate,  ten  pounds  of 
pork,  twenty-five  pounds  of  flax,  one  barrel  of  flour, 
one  and  a  half  bushel  of  corn,  and  £31  95.  lOd.  in 
money.  Some  of  the  poor  of  Boston  were  also  quar- 
tered upon  the  town. 

In  1775,  a  scarcity  of  bread  appears  to  have  been 
apprehended,  as  the  supplies  by  water  were  mostly 
cut  off;  and,  at  a  town  meeting  held  on  the  19th  June, 
two  days  subsequent  to  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
the  selectmen  were  ordered  to  purchase  1.500  bushels 
of  grain  and  ten  casks  of  rice,  to  be  disposed  of  by 
them  in  the  best  manner,  for  the  use  and  benefit 
of  the  town.  A  similar  precaution  in  relation  to 
ammunition  was  adopted,  and  a  fine  of  ten  shillings 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  83 

was  imposed  on  any  one  who  should  '•  unnecessarily 
waste  or  fire  ojff  any  charge  of  powder." 

At  a  meeting  held  in  April,  1776,  the  town  de- 
clined sending  delegates  to  a  convention  held  at  Ips- 
wich, "relative  to  an  equal  representation  by  every 
man's  having  a  like  voice  in  the  election  of  the  leg- 
islative body  of  this  colony;"  but,  at  a  subsequent 
meeting,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  sign,  in  be- 
half of  the  town,  the  memorial  agreed  upon  by  that 
convention. 

The  year  1777  was  distinguished  by  a  riotous 
proceeding,  in  which  the  gentler  sex  were  the  prin- 
cipal actors.  The  merchants  of  this  town,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  little  confidence  they  had  in  a  con- 
stantly depreciating  paper  currency,  refused  to  sell 
the  West  India  commodities  in  their  possession,  at 
the  stated  prices.  This  determination  gave  great 
offence,  and  under  the  excitement  of  the  occasion,  a 
number  of  women  resolved  to  redress  the  grievance, 
forcibly  or  otherwise.  One  cold  November  morning, 
a  company  of  about  sixty,  wearing  lambskin  cloaks 
with  riding  hoods,  marshalled  by  three  or  four  lead- 
ers, one  of  them  bearing  a  musket,  marched  in  regu- 
lar order  down  Main  and  Bartlett  streets  to  the 
wharves,  attended  by  two  ox-carts.  They  proceed- 
ed to  the  distil-house,  where  a  quantity  of  sugar, 
belonging  to  the  estate  of  Stephen  Cabot,  deceased, 
was  stored.  In  the  meantime,  the  foreman  of  the 
distillery,  to  whose  custody  the  goods  had  been  com- 
mitted, locked  the  gates  at  the  entrance  of  the  pas- 
sage leading  to  the  store,  and  stood  sentry  within,  to 
prevent  the  ingress  of  the  assailants.  Finding  them- 
selves opposed,  they  called  to  their  aid  a  reinforce- 
ment of  men,  who,  with   axes,  soon  demolished  the 


84  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

gates.  The  gallant  foreman  still  maintained  his 
post,  and  made  a  bold  demonstration  of  resistance. 
His  fair  assailants,  nothing  daunted,  pressed  vigor- 
ously to  the  onset,  and  seizing  him  by  the  hair, 
which  was  not  of  nature's  growth,  were  proceeding 
to  execute  summary  vengeance,  when  he  eluded 
their  grasp  by  leaving  his  artificial  covering  in  their 
hands — and  fleeing  all  but  scalpless  to  the  counting- 
room,  locked  himself  in  for  safe-keeping.  The  work 
of  victory  then  commenced.  With  the  co-operation 
of  their  volunteer  reinforcement,  these  gentle  ex- 
pounders of  "  women's  rights"  forced  the  doors  of 
the  store,  and  rolled  out  two  hogsheads  of  sugar, 
which  were  placed  on  the  carts  in  attendance.  The 
affair  had  now  assumed  a  serious  aspect,  and  several 
other  merchants  having  a  quantity  of  sugar  on  hand, 
and  unwilling  to  risk  the  consequences  of  resistance 
and  possible  defeat,  entered  into  a  negotiation,  which 
resulted  in  an  agreement,  on  their  part,  to  sell  each 
a  barrel  of  sugar  to  the  female  dictators,  at  the  stip- 
ulated price,  and  receive  paper  money  in  payment. 
With  this  treaty  the  war  closed,  and  the  valiant  band 
dispersed.  The  sugar  was  carted  to  the  house  of 
the  principal  leader,  who  kept  a  shop,  and  was  there 
dealt  out  in  convenient  parcels,  according  to  treaty 
engagement.  Acting  as  agent  in  the  business,  she 
received  and  paid  over  the  money  to  the  owners  of 
the  sugar,  with  whom  an  amicable  settlement  was 
subsequently  made  for  the  quantity  forcibly  taken. 

It  is  but  just,  in  closing  this  brief  account  of  a  pro- 
ceeding in  which  the  ludicrous  and  the  serious  are 
blended,  to  remark,  that  few  seaport  towns  having 
so  much  foreign  trade  as  this  had  in  times  past,  and 
so  much  privateering  and  other  maritime  business, 


HISTORY   OF   BEVERLY.  85 

have  been  so  distinguished  for  their  uniform,  orderly 
submission  to  the  laws  of  the  land.  The  single  de- 
parture from  this  course  here  related,  probably  had 
the  effect  of  inducing  greater  caution  among  the  well- 
disposed,  and  occasioned  their  prompt  interference  to 
check  the  first  motions  towards  any  disorderly  pro- 
ceedings. 

The  year  1788  is  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  Bev- 
erly, marked  by  the  establishment  of  the  first  cotton 
mill  in  America ;  that  of  Slater's,  at  Pawtucket, 
having  been  commenced  in  1790.  A  building  of 
brick  was  erected  in  the  second  parish,  near  "Ba- 
ker's corner,"  at  the  junction  of  the  Birch-plain  and 
Ipswich  roads,  and  a  company  of  proprietors  incor- 
porated Feb.  3, 1789,  without  any  exemption  or  priv- 
ilege, except  that  of  acting  as  a  body  corporate. 
Great  expectations  were  entertained  from  the  intro- 
duction of  manufactures  into  the  country  on  an  ex- 
tensive plan,  at  this  early  period.  A  periodical  of 
the  day,  describing  this  factory,  says,  "that  an  ex- 
periment was  made  with  a  complete  set  of  machines 
for  carding  and  spinning  cotton,  which  answered  the 
warmest  expectations  of  the  proprietors.  The  spin- 
ning-jenny spins  sixty  threads  at  a  time,  and  with 
the  carding  machine,  forty  pounds  of  cotton  can  be 
well  carded  per  day.  The  warping  machine  and 
the  other  tools  and  machinery  are  complete,  perform- 
ing their  various  operations  to  great  advantage,  and 
promise  much  benefit  to  the  public,  and  emolument 
to  the  patriotic  adventurers."  This  establishment 
was  visited  by  Gen.  Washington,  on  his  tour  through 
the  country  in  1789.  Not  realizing  the  anticipations 
of  the  proprietors,  they  abandoned  it  as  a  body  cor- 
porate, and  the  business  was  carried  oa  by  individu- 
8 


86  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

als,  who  subsequently  erected  a  mill  at  the  head  of 
Bass  river,  for  the  purpose  of  spinning  cotton  by 
water-power.  This  enterprize  proving  unprofitable, 
the  machinery  and  buildings  of  the  cotton  mill  were 
finally  removed,  and  the  brick  factory  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1828.  In  1841  a  steam  factory  was  incor- 
porated, and  a  large  amount  of  stock  subscribed,  but 
operations  were  temporarily  suspended  for  more  fa- 
vorable times. 

The  first  election  for  governor,  and  other  state  ofld- 
cers,  subsequent  to  the  ratification  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States,  was  held  in  Beverl}^  this 
year,  April  8th,  at  which  John  Hancock  received 
155  votes  for  governor,  and  Elbridge  Gerry  17.  For 
lieut.  governor,  Benj.  Lincoln  received  158  votes, 
and  James  Warren  17. 

The  winter  of  1780  is  known  as  the  hard  winter. 
The  snow  fell  seven  successive  days  in  December,  to 
the  depth  of  four  feet  on  a  level.  The  cold  was  in- 
tense, and  for  thirty  days  the  sun  made  not  the 
slightest  impression  on  the  snow,  even  in  southern 
aspects.  Many  persons  perished  ;  and  in  this  town, 
from  scarcity  of  fuel,  a  considerable  number  of  fruit 
trees  were  cut  down. 

May  19,  1780,  is  distinguished  as  the  dark  day. 
The  sun  rose  clear,  but  soon  assumed  a  brassy  hue. 
About  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  it  became  unusually  dark. 
The  darkness  continued  to  increase  till  about  1 
o'clock,  when  it  began  to  decrease.  During  this  time 
candles  were  necessary.  The  birds  disappeared  and 
were  silent,  the  fowls  went  to  their  roost,  the  cocks 
crew  as  at  day-break,  and  every  thing  bore  the 
appearance  and  gloom  of  night.  The  alarm  produc- 
ed by  this  unusual  aspect  of  the  heavens  was  great, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  87 

and  tradition  has  preserved  many  anecdotes  of  terror. 
An  old  gentleman  of  rather  singular  turn,  supposing 
the  judgment-day  at  hand,  dressed  himself  with  unus- 
ual care,  and  taking  his  silver-headed  cane  walked 
out  into  the  field  to  await  the  event.  As  the  dark- 
ness came  on,  Mr  Willard,  who  possessed  some  rare 
instruments,  took  a  station  on  the  common  to  make 
observations,  and  was  soon  surrounded  by  a  large 
number  of  his  parishioners,  who  gazed  on  his  opera- 
tions with  awe  and  wonder.  Mr.  W.  paid  no  attention 
to  the  conjectures  and  expressions  of  alarm  uttered  in 
his  hearing,  and  calmly  pursued  his  investigations. 
In  the  midst  of  these,  a  person  of  excitable  tempera- 
ment came  running  from  the  seashore,  exclaiming  in 
accents  of  terror,  ''  the  tide  has  done  flowing !"  ''  So 
it  has  !"  replied  Mr.  Willard,  who,  with  admirable 
presence  of  mind  took  out  his  watch — ''  so  it  has,  for 
it  is  just  high  water." 

The  night  succeeding  the  day  was  of  such  pitchy 
darkness,  that  in  some  instances  horses  could  not  be 
compelled  to  leave  the  stable  when  wanted  for  ser- 
vice. About  midnight  the  clouds  were  dispersed, 
and  the  moon  and  stars  appeared  with  unimpaired 
brilliancy.  This  phenomenon  is  supposed  to  have 
been  occasioned  by  the  smoke  arising  from  extensive 
fires  in  Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  and 
which,  owing  to  the  clearness  of  the  air  and  light- 
ness of  the  winds,  had  accumulated  over  this  region 
in  immense  quantities.  This  year  was  also  remark- 
able for  the  brilliant  appearance  of  the  aurora  borealis, 
which,  from  the  description,  must  have  been  more 
magnificent  than  the  display  witnessed  on  the  evening 
of  Dec.  11,  1830. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  the  first  town  meeting 


88  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

was  held  for  the  election  of  governor,  lieut.  gov- 
ernor and  councillors,  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of 
the  new  constitution,  when  the  following  votes  were 
given.  For  governor,  James  Bowdoin,  29 ;  John 
Hancock,  16.  For  lieut.  governor,  John  Hancock, 
29;  Benjamin  Greenleaf,  14;  James  Bowdoin,  2. 
The  first  representatives  under  the  constitution,  were 
Larkin  Thorndike  and  Jonathan  Conant. 

This  year.  Col.  Henry  Herrick  deceased.  He  was 
an  active  agent  in  all  the  first  revolutionary  move-^ 
ments,  and  for  many  years  represented  the  town  in 
General  Court.  He  frequently  presided  at  the  numer- 
ous town  meetings  held  to  consider  the  public  con- 
cerns, at  a  time  when  it  required  a  good  degree  of 
moral  courage  for  any  one  to  appear  conspicuously 
in  acts  and  measures  of  doubtful  result,  and  in  event 
of  failure,  placing  him  in  the  position  of  a  rebel 
against  the  King  and  the  government  of  Great  Brit- 
ain. His  house  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present 
residence  of  Ebenezer  Meacom.  His  family  consist- 
ed of  eight  children,  viz :  Joseph,  Pyam,  Henry, 
Joanna,  Elizabeth,  Nancy,  Mary  and  Ruth. 


The  peace  of  1783  was  hailed  in  this  town  with 
demonstrations  of  the  liveliest  joy.  This  year  the 
town  refused  its  assent  to  the  proposition  for  holding 
and  keeping  at  Ipswich,  all  the  courts  of  law  and 
offices  of  register  of  deeds,  register  of  probate,  and 
clerk  of  the  courts  of  common  pleas  and  general 
sessions  of  the  peace,  and  instructed  its  representa- 
tive, Mr.   Dane,  to  govern  himself  accordingly.     In 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  89 

1784,  £1200  were  voted  to  be  raised  for  the  service 
of  the  town  and  the  payment  of  debts.  In  1785,  Mr. 
Dane  was  elected  a  delegate  to  Congress,  and  was 
succeeded  as  representative  by  Larkin  Thorndike. 
In  1786,  the  pecuniary  difficulties  and  embarrass- 
ments of  the  town,  in  common  with  every  part  of 
New  England,  were  very  considerable,  arising  in' 
part  from  debts  contracted  during  the  war,  the  gen- 
eral stagnation  of  commerce,  and  the  burdens  of 
taxation  consequent  upon  the  revolution.  This  year 
the  "  Shays'  rebellion  "  occurred — to  suppress  which, 
a  regiment  of  militia  was  marched  from  Essex  coun- 
ty under  the  command  of  Col.  Wade,  of  Ipswich,  an 
officer  in  whom  Washington,  during  the  revolution, 
reposed  the  utmost  confidence.  In  1787,  the  votes 
for  governor  were  125,  of  which  John  Hancock  re- 
ceived 77,  and  James  Bowdoin  48.  The  same  year 
George  Cabot,  Joseph  Wood  and  Israel  Thorndike, 
were  chosen  delegates  to  represent  the  town  in  the 
State  convention  to  be  held  in  Boston,  Jan.  1788,  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  constitu- 
tion or  frame  of  government  for  the  United  States, 
proposed  by  the  federal  convention. 

Between  1786  and  1789,  town  offices  went  beg- 
ging. So  many  persons  chosen  declining  to  serve, 
resort  was  had  to  a  fine  as  a  compulsory  measure  to 
complete  the  proper  organization.  The  greatest  dif- 
ficulty was  experienced  in  obtaining  persons  to  serve 
in  the  office  of  constable,  as  they  were  obliged  to 
collect  the  taxes  in  their  respective  wards,  a  duty 
which  appears  to  have  been  peculiarly  onerous  at 
that  time.  To  secure  the  services  of  these  officers, 
a  fine  of  £5  was  imposed  on  those  who  refused  to 
accept  the  office  when  chosen,  or  procure  a  substi- 
8# 


90  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

tute :  and  even  this  measure  was  not  always  suc- 
cessful, as  it  appears  that,  in  1786,  seven  town 
meetings  were  held  between  March  and  October, 
before  persons  would  serve  rather  than  pay  £5  fine. 

In  1790,  Larkin  Thorndike  and  Joseph  Wood  were 
chosen  representatives,  and  instructed  to  attend  the 
General  Court  together  only  on  occasions  of  extraor- 
dinary business,  and  at  other  times  separately.  In 
1791,  the  town  treasurer  was  directed  to  fund  the 
paper  money  on  hand,  or  sell  it,  as  he  might  think 
best.  In  1792,  it  was  voted  that  all  contracts  should 
be  made  and  paid  in  hard  money  instead  of  town 
orders. 

Feb.  22,  1793,  Washington's  birth-day  was  cele- 
brated with  a  display  of  colors  and  a  ball  and  supper 
in  the  evening.  Among  the  toasts  were  the  fol- 
lowing : 

•'  Agriculture — May  we  always  revere  the  most 
ancient  and  most  useful  of  arts. 

"  Manufactures — May  a  conviction  of  their  utility 
in  an  improved  state,  make  us  cherish  them  in  their 
infancy. 

''  Commerce — May  it  universally  be  conducted  on 
the  liberal  principles  of  reciprocal  advantage." 

The  proclamation  of  neutrality,  issued  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States  in  1793,  and  induced 
by  the  war  then  existing  in  Europe,  was  regarded  by 
every  friend  of  peace  as  "  a  wise  and  prudent  meas- 
ure, well-timed,  founded  on  fact,  and  calculated  to 
secure  the  honor  and  promote  the  true  interests  and 
happiness  of  the  country."  The  design  of  that  proc- 
lamation was  warmly  seconded  in  this  town.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  merchants  and  others,  held  the  25th 
of  July,  of  which  Moses  Brown  was  chairman,  reso- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  91 

lutions  were  imanimously  adopted,  recognizing  its 
necessity  and  propriety,  as  not  only  announcing  to 
the  powers  of  Europe  the  equitable  disposition  of  the 
United  States,  and  tending  to  produce  a  reciprocity 
of  friendly  sentiments,  but  also  as  admonishing  all 
American  citizens  of  the  penalties  to  which  a  viola- 
tion of  the  laws  of  nations  subjected  them.  In  order 
to  preserve  "  the  strictest  neutrality  between  the 
powers  at  war,"  the  meeting  further  resolved,  that 
''should  any  inhabitant  of  these  States,  regardless  of 
all  moral  and  political  obligations,  fit  out  or  be  inter- 
ested in  any  privateer  or  vessel  armed  to  cruise  against 
any  nation  at  peace  with  the  United  States,  we  will 
endeavor  to  detect  him,  that  he  may  suffer  the  pun- 
ishment inflicted  by  the  law  for  such  piratical  con- 
duct." 

The  subject  of  revising  the  State  constitution  was 
laid  before  the  town  in  1795,  and  decided  in  the 
affirmative  by  a  vote  of  twenty-six  to  ten.  In  1796, 
a  petition  drawn  up  by  Rev.  Mr.  M'Kean,  William 
Burley,  Israel  Thorndike,  Moses  Brown  and  John 
Stephens,  was  adopted  by  the  town  with  entire  unan- 
imity, and  presented  to  Congress,  praying  for  the 
immediate  fulfilment  of  the  treaty  made  between  the 
United  States  and  Great  Britain. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  struggle, 
public  attention  was  directed  to  the  vast  wilderness 
of  the  west  as  "  much  to  be  desired  for  a  possession." 
Statesmen  saw  in  that  immense  territory  the  future 
seat  of  civilization  and  political  power.  Political 
economists  perceived,  in  a  mild  climate,  a  fertile  soil, 
numerous  navigable  streams  and  geographical  rela- 
tions, superior  advantages  for  agricultural,  manufac- 
turing and  commercial  pursuits,  as  well  as  for  the 


92  HISTORY    OF   BEVERLY. 

support  of  a  dense  population  ;  and  capitalists  dream- 
ed of  fortunes  to  be  made  by  investments  there. 
The  "Ohio  fever,"  as  it  was  aptly  denominated, 
prevailed  throughout  New  England,  and  numerous 
families  left  "  their  pleasant  homes,  to  follow  the 
guiding  hand  of  Providence  to  the  western  realms  of 
promise."  Forty-four  years  ago,  ''  a  long  ark-like 
looking  wagon  was  seen  traversing  the  roads  and 
winding  through  the  villages  of  Essex  and  Middlesex, 
covered  with  black  canvass,  inscribed  on  the  outside 
in  large  letters,  '  to  Marietta  on  the  Ohio.'  That 
expedition,  under  Dr.  Cutler,  of  this  neighborhood, 
was  the  first  germ  of  the  settlement  of  Ohio,  which 
now  contains  a  million  and  a  half  of  inhabitants. 
Forty-four  years  have  scarce  passed  by,  since  this 
great  State,  with  all  its  settlements,  improvements, 
canals  and  growing  population,  was  covered  up  (if  I 
may  so  say,)  under  the  canvass  of  Dr.  Cutler's 
wagon.  Not  half  a  century,  and  ,a  State  is  in  exist- 
ence, (twice  as  large  as  our  old  Massachusetts)  to 
whom  not  old  England,  but  New  England  is  the  land 
of  ancestral  recollections."^  In  the  afore-named  com- 
pany of  emigrants,  was  the  family  of  Peter  Shaw 
and  several  other  persons  of  this  town. 

1798.  The  town  this  year  for  the  first  time  chose 
a  health  officer,  and  in  1801  a  hospital  was  erected 
on  Paul's  head  at  an  expense  of  about  $450.  This 
point  was  originally  the  property  of  Paul  Thorndike, 
one  of  the  first  selectmen  of  the  town  after  its  incor- 
poration, and  from  him  derived  its  name.  A  watch- 
house  was  built  here  as  early  as  1711. 

January  18,  1799.    The  schooner  Alert,  of  Beverly, 

*  Everett. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  93 

Capt.  Jacob  Oliver,  was  taken  by  three  French  pri- 
vateers as  she  was  entering  the  harbor  of  Santander, 
and  sent  into  Bayonne.  She  was  not  captured  with- 
out a  noble  struggle.  With  only  two  guns,  she  beat 
off  a  lugger  that  led  on  the  attack,  and  continued  the 
combat  with  a  second,  until  that  was  reinforced  by  a 
ten-gun  schooner,  when  she  was  compelled  to  strike. 
Thisoutrageupon  American  neutrality  excited  strong 
murmurs  among  the  inhabitants  of  Santander,  and 
the  commander  of  the  fort  notified  the  captains  of 
the  French  privateers  in  the  harbor,  that  if  they 
attempted  to  put  to  sea  after  an  American  vessel  came 
in  sightj.  he  would  sink  them. 

From  1773  to  1800,  numerous  town  meetings  were 
held  for  the  adoption  of  measures  to  prevent  th<^inr 
troduction  and  spread  of  the  small-pox.  A  commit- 
tee of  inspection  was  chosen ;  a  house  provided  to 
which  suspected  persons  and  their  goods  were  to  be 
conveyed  for  examination  and  cleansing;  smoke- 
houses were  erected,  and  fences  were  thrown  across 
the  roads,  to  prevent  the  passing  of  persons  with- 
out inspection.  Inoculation  with  small-pox  virus, 
though  several  times  commenced,  never  met  with 
cordial  approbation — owing,  perhaps,  to  the  same 
prejudice  that  resisted  its  introduction  into  Boston, 
in  1720.  In  1788,  it  appearing  that  the  practice  of 
inoculation  continued,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  inform  the  masters  of  all  houses  infected  with  the 
disease,  that  they  were  forbidden,  under  the  highest 
displeasure  of  the  town,  and  the  penalties  of  the 
law,  to  permit  any  person  to  come  into  their  house,  for 
the  purpose  of  inoculation,  or  of  passing  through  the 
distemper.  To  carry  the  intention  of  the  town  more 
completely  into  effect,  all  suspected  persons  were  re- 


94  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

quired  to  undergo  fumigation,  and  inoculation  by- 
physicians  and  all  other  persons  was  prohibited 
after  the  first  day  of  July.  In  1800,  the  town  was 
thrown  into  alarm  by  the  introduction  of  virus  from 
London,  supposed  to  be  vaccine,  but  which  unfortu- 
nately proved  to  be  the  matter  of  small-pox,  or  a 
disease  nearly  approximating  to  it,  probably  the 
varioloid.  A  town  meeting  was  the  consequence, 
exhibiting  strong  symptoms  of  tumult,  but  which 
happily  terminated  without  violence.  At  this  meet- 
ing, inoculation  either  for  small  or  kine-pox,  was 
again  prohibited  except  at  hospitals,  and  various 
other  precautionary  measures  were  adopted.  Since 
1800,  the  general  introduction  of  kine-pox  by  vacci- 
nation, has  prevented  the  spread  of  small-pox  here 
as  elsewhere. 

In  1803,  the  town  concurred  in  the  petition  of  John 
Heard  and  others,  for  a  turnpike  from  Beverly  to 
Newburyport.  This  road  was  intended  to  be  com- 
menced at  Nathaniel  Batchelder's  blacksmith's  shop ; 
and  running  in  a  direct  line  across  Dodge's  Row 
near  tlfe  school-house,  to  intersect  the  main  road  in 
Hamilton,  near  Dr.  Faulkner's  corner.  This  project 
was  prosecuted  no  further  than  to  procure  an  act  of 
incorporation.  The  same  year,  $1500  were  voted  for 
the  repair  of  the  highways. 

March  27,  1807,  Capt.  George  Raymond  died, 
aged  99  years  and  about  3  months.  He  was  the 
son  of  Nathaniel  and  Rebecca  Raymond,  and  was 
born  Dec.  21,  1707.  He  was  in  the  Cape  Breton 
expedition,  and  is  mentioned  in  the  town  records  of 
1770,  as  moderator  of  a  meeting  at  which  measures 
were  adopted  to  suppress  the  use  of  tea.  He  re- 
sided, at  the  time  of  his  decease,  in  the  second  parish. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  95 

July  4th.  The  thirty-first  anniversary  of  Ameri- 
can Independence,  was  celebrated  with  particular 
demonstrations  of  joy.  The  Light  Infantry,  and 
other  military  companies  paraded,  and  salutes  were 
fired  from  a  cannon  used  to  announce  the  memora- 
ble declaration  of  1776,  at  sunrise,  noon  and  sunset. 
At  half  past  9  o'clock,  the  Light  Infantry  company 
paraded  in  front  of  Hon.  Israel  Thorndike's  man- 
sion, and  received  the  present  of  a  standard ;  after 
which,  with  a  numerous  company  of  ladies,  the 
clergy,  gentlemen  of  this  and  the  neighboring  towns, 
and  the  officers  of  the  third  regiment,  they  partook 
of  refreshments  liberally  provided  by  that  gentle- 
man. At  eleven  o'clock  a  procession  was  formed 
and  moved  to  the  South  meeting-house,  escorted  by 
the  Light  Infantry,  a  part  of  Capt.  Brown's  com- 
pany, and  the  Salem  Juvenile  Artillery,  the  whole 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Rantoul.  Prayers 
were  offered  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Emerson  and  Randall, 
and  an  appropriate  discourse  delivered  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Abbot,  from  Exodus  12 :  14.  After  the  religious 
services,  the  procession  was  again  formed  and  es- 
corted to  a  tent  on  Watch  House  Hill,  under  which 
about  two  hundred  persons  of  different  politics  par- 
took of  an  elegant  dinner,  at  which  Col.  Lovett  pre- 
sided.    Among  the  toasts  given  were  the  following : 

"  The  Militia  :  Every  citizen  a  soldier,  and  every 
soldier  a  patriot. 

"  Our  Fisheries :  While  we  draw  wealth  from  those 
exhaustless  mines,  with  gratitude  may  we  remember 
the  patriots  who  procured  us  the  blessing. 

"  Agriculture,  Commerce,  and  the  Arts  :  Together 
they  flourish ;  separated  they  die. 


96  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

''  Schools,  Acad-emies,  and  Colleges  :  May  they  be 
nurseries  of  science  and  virtue. 

''  The  Ladies  of  Beverly,  who  this  day  presented 
the  standard  to  the  Light  Infantry :  May  their  gen- 
erous patriotism  be  long  held  in  grateful  remem- 
brance." 

Dec.  22d,  the  long  embargo  was  enacted  which 
was  subsequently  repealed  by  the  non-intercourse 
act  of  March  1,  1S09.  The  political  excitement  of 
this  period,  is  shown  by  the  number  of  votes  given 
at  successive  elections.  The  whole  number  cast  in 
April,  1807,  was  588 ;  in  April,  180S,  654 :  in  Nov. 
1808,  671 ;  in  April,  1809,  650.  At  these  times  the 
fishermen  and  seamen  were  generally  at  home,  and 
particular  pains  were  taken  to  induce  every  voter  to 
use  his  franchise. 

Jan.  21,  1808,  Joseph  Wood  departed  this  life, 
aged  68  years.  During  a  period  of  more  than  forty 
years,  he  was  constant!}'-  connected  with  town 
afi"airs.  He  represented  the  town  in  General  Court 
for  a  great  number  of  years,  and  from  1771,  to  the  day 
of  his  death,  nearly  thirty-eight  years,  filled  the  office 
of  town  clerk.  He  had  also  been  a  selectman,  and 
for  some  years  before  his  decease  was  an  acting  jus- 
tice of  peace  and  notary  public.  During  the  whole 
of  the  revolutionary  war,  he  was  one  of  the  com- 
mittee of  correspondence,  inspection  and  safety,  thus 
occupying  a  place  of  great  labor  and  responsibility, 
which  was  bestowed  only  on  such  as  were  well 
known  to  be  zealously  devoted  to  the  cause  of  their 
country.  In  1788,  he  was  a  member  of  the  conv^en- 
tion  for  ratifying  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  fidelity  with  which  he  discharged 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  97 

every  public  duty,  uniformly  secured  to  him  the 
unbounded  confidence  of  his  fellow-townsmen. 

This  year,  the  town  petitioned  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States,  to  suspend  the  operation  of  the  em- 
bargo laws.  The  petition  is  recorded  at  length,  and 
will,  in  future  time,  be  an  interesting  document  to 
those  who  are  desirous  to  become  acquainted  with 
all  the  transactions  of  that  period.  The  following 
year,  at  one  of  the  most  numerous  meetings  ever 
held  in  this  town,  spirited  resolutions  were  unani- 
mously passed,  disapproving  of  the  embargo  laws, 
and  a  petition  embracing  the  substance  of  these  reso- 
lutions, was  voted  to  be  presented  to  the  General 
Court,  praying  for  relief. 

December  10,  1809,  Josiah  Batchelder,  jr.,  Esq., 
deceased,  aged  73.  He  was  the  son  of  Josiah  Batch- 
elder,  who  served  in  the  expedition  against  Port 
Royal  in  1707,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Benj. 
James,  of  Marblehead,  and  died  at  the  advanced  age 
of  88.  Mr.  Batchelder  early  commenced  a  nautical 
life,  and  by  energy  of  character,  soon  rose  to  the 
command  of  a  vessel.  In  1761,  on  his  passage  from 
Georgia  to  St.  Christopher,  with  a  cargo  of  lumber, 
he  was  taken  by  a  French  privateer,  and,  after  being 
detained  twenty-four  hours,  succeeded  in  obtaining 
the  release  of  his  vessel  for  two  thousand  three  hun- 
dred pieces  of  eight.  For  the  payment  of  this  sum 
he  was  retained  a  hostage  on  board  the  privateer ; 
while  his  vessel,  under  the  charge  of  his  first  officer, 
was  despatched  to  St.  Eustatia  or  St.  Christopher 
for  the  money.  In  the  meantime  he  was  carried  into 
Martinico  and  thrust  into  a  filthy  prison,  from  which 
he  obtained  release,  and  proceeded  to  St.  Christopher, 
9 


98  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

where  he  entered  a  protest  against  the  whole  pro- 
ceedings. 

Mr.  Batchelder  was  early  a  warm,  devoted  and 
energetic  friend  to  the  cause  of  freedom,  to  promote 
which  he  made  large  pecuniary  sacrifices.  His  fel- 
low-citizens honored  him  with  their  confidence  by 
electing  him  six  times  to  represent  their  interests  in 
the  General  Court.  He  was  also  elected  a  member 
of  the  Provincial  Congress  in  1775,  and  again  in  '76, 
^77  and  '79,  and  in  both  assemblies  was  placed  on 
the  most  important  committees.  His  extensive  busi- 
ness and  public  station  made  for  him  a  large  ac- 
quaintance at  home  and  abroad,  and  his  numerous 
guests  were  entertained  with  a  generous  hospitality. 
For  many  years  Mr.  B.  discharged,  with  great  ac- 
ceptance, the  duties  of  a  justice  of  the  peace ;  and 
when,  by  act  of  Congress,  Salem  and  Beverly  were 
formed  into  one  district,  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  surveyor  and  inspector,  which  office  he  held 
until  his  decease.  He  was  thirty-five  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  first  church,  and  departed  this  life,  leaning, 
with  unshaken  confidence,  on  the  Christian's  hope. 

In  1810,  the  town,  by  vote,  protested  against  the 
removal  of  the  term  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court 
from  Ipswich  to  Newburyport.  In  1812,  soon  after 
the  declaration  of  war  against  Great  Britain,  spirited 
resolutions  were  passed  in  town  meeting,  disapprov- 
ing the  proceedings  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  and  approving  the  course  of  the  General 
Court  and  of  the  Governor  in  relation  to  the  war. 
Delegates  were  also  chosen  to  attend  a  county  con- 
vention at  Ipswich.  In  1814,  a  memorial  was  adopt- 
ed by  the  town  and  ordered  to  be  presented  to  the 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  99 

General  Court,  in  reference  to  the  sufferings  of  the 
inhabitants  from  embargo  and  war.  In  1814,  an 
attack  being  apprehended  from  the  enemy,  several 
famiUes  removed  to  the  interior. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  a  barge,  from  a  British  ship  of 
war,  pursued  a  schooner  belonging  to  Manchester, 
towards  this  harbor.  Unable  to  escape,  she  was  run 
ashore  on  Mingo's  beach  and  abandoned.  The  Brit- 
ish set  her  on  fire,  but  the  flames  were  afterwards 
extinguished  by  the  neighboring  inhabitants  without 
much  damage.  The  alarm  occasioned  by  this  affair 
was  followed  by  a  public  meeting,  at  which  meas- 
ures were  adopted  for  the  effectual  protection  of  the 
town.  Subsequently,  a  company  of  infantry  from 
Haverhill  and  Methuen,  and  of  artillery  from  Dan- 
vers,  were  stationed  here  for  the  defence  of  the  coast; 
but  the  following  winter,  cause  for  further  warlike 
preparations  was  removed  by  the  treaty  of  peace,  ex- 
ecuted at  Ghent,  Dec.  24,  1814,  and  ratified  by  the 
American  senate  Feb.  16th,  1815. 

March  6th,  1819,  Mr.  Robert  Endicott,  an  exem- 
plary and  respected  citizen,  deceased,  aged  62  years. 
Mr.  Endicott  was  a  descendant  from  Governor  En- 
dicott, of  the  fifth  generation.  He  removed  from 
Dan  vers  to  Beverly  in  the  latter  part  of  1781,  being 
the  first  of  the  name  that  settled  here.  He  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Rev.  Nathan  Holt,  of  Danvers. 
Of  seven  children,  two  only  survive,  who,  with  their 
families,  reside  in  this  town. 

In  1820,  the  question  of  amending  the  constitution 
was  submitted  to  the  people,  who  gave  a  majority  in 
the  affirmative.  Four  delegates  were  elected  by  this 
town  to  attend  the  convention  called  for  that  purpose, 
and  which  consisted  of  about  five  hundred  members. 


100  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

December  22,  1822,  William  Burley  died,  in  the 
72d  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  native  of  Ipswich, 
and  was  born  .Tamiary  2d,  1751.  He  took  an  active 
and  zealous  part  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and 
was  some  years  an  officer  in  the  American  army. 

On  the  3d  of  February,  1780,  when  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Thompson,  on  the  lines  near  White 
Plains,  Mr.  Burley,  who  was  then  a  lieutenant,  was 
taken  prisoner  in  a  severe  skirmish  with  a  detachment 
of  British  troops.  Col.  Thompson,  who  commanded, 
was  also  taken,  with  several  other  officers  and  about 
ninety  men.  This  misfortune  was  owing  to  the  neg- 
ligence and  imprudence  of  the  Colonel,  who  omitted 
the  precautions  he  had  been  directed  to  take  to  guard 
against  any  sudden  attack.=^' 

Mr.  Burley  was  compelled  to  remain  a  prisoner  a 
year  and  nine  months,  on  his  parole,  on  Long  Island, 
when  he  obtained  his  liberty  by  an  exchange.  This 
long  captivity,  at  such  a  crisis,  was  a  very  severe 
trial  to  one  of  his  active  character  and  ardent  pa- 
triotism. The  last  year  of  his  imprisonment  he  was 
allowed  the  pay  and  rations  of  a  captain  in  the  con- 
tinental service. 

He  left  a  legacy  to  this  town  of  five  hundred  dol- 
lars, to  be  expended  for  the  instruction  of  poor  chil- 
dren in  reading  and  the  principles  of  the  Christian 
religion.  This  legacy  was  managed  by  a  committee 
appointed  for  the  purpose,  who  bestowed  the  benefit 
on  such  children  in  different  parts  of  the  town  as,  in 
their  judgment,  most  required  it.  A  legacy  of  a  sim- 
ilar character  was  also  left  to  his  native  town. 

August  31st,  1824,  General  La  Fayette,  then  mak- 

*  Heath's  Memoirs,  p.  230. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  101 

ing  a  tour  of  the  country  he  had  so  signally  served 
by  the  side  of  Washington,  passed  through  this  town. 
He  was  received,  as  he  was  every  where,  with  every 
demonstration  of  respect.  His  arrival  was  announced 
by  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns,  from  EUingwood's 
point.  An  arch  was  erected  on  Essex  bridge,  at  the 
line  of  the  town,  beautifully  decorated  with  flowers, 
evergreens  and  flags,  bearing  the  inscription,  "  Wel- 
come, La  Payette,  the  man  whom  we  delight  to  hon- 
or." On  arriving  opposite  the  bank,  where  was  dis- 
played across  the  street  a  line  of  national  banners, 
he  was  cheered  by  a  concourse  of  citizens.  His  car- 
riage and  escort  halted  for  a  short  time,  amidst  a 
furious  rain,  when  he  was  addressed  by  Hon.  Robert 
Rantoul  in  behalf  of  the  citizens,  as  follows  : 

•'General:  The  inhabitants  of  Beverly  bid  you 
welcome.  We  welcome  you  to  our  country, — that 
country  whicii  owes  so  much  to  your  aid  in  the  ac- 
quisition of  her  independence.  We  receive  you  not 
merely  as  the  friend  of  our  beloved  country,  but  as 
the  friend  of  Man.  Your  labors,  your  sacrifices,  your 
sufferings  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  demand  our  grati- 
tude. Tyrants  receive  the  commanded  adulation  of 
their  slaves,  but  to  the  benefactors  of  our  race  belong 
the  spontaneous  eff'usions  of  our  hearts.  Accept  our 
sincere  congratulations  that  you  live  to  witness  the 
order,  the  prosperity,  the  happiness  that  results  from 
our  free  institutions;  and  may  the  evening  of  your 
days  be  solaced  with  the  reflection  that  those  princi- 
ples of  government,  to  the  support  of  which  your  life 
has  been  devoted,  and  which  alone  can  secure  the 
enjoyment  of  rational  liberty,  are  fast  spreading  their 
influence  through  the  whole  family  of  man.  Wish- 
ing you  long  life  and  uninterrupted  happiness,  we 
bid  you  farewell." 
9* 


102  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

After  an  affectionate  reply  to  this  address,  the  Gen- 
eral resumed  his  journey. 

In  1827,  Capt.  John  Low  died,  in  the  82d  year  of 
his  age.  He  was  born  in  Hamilton,  in  1745.  He 
became  a  resident  of  Beverly  before  the  revolution- 
ary war,  at  the  commencement  of  which  he  forsook 
his  business  of  cabinet-making,  and  raised  a  com- 
pany for  the  continental  army.  After  leaving  the 
army  he  kept  a  public-house  near  the  ferry- way,  and 
subsequently  removed  to  Lyman,  Me.,  where,  until 
the  day  of  his  decease,  he  enjoyed  the  confidence  of 
his  fellow-townsmen. 

In  consequence  of  the  alarming  prevalence  of  the 
Asiatic  cholera  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  in 
1832,  a  town  meeting  was  held  August  4th,  at  which 
a  committee  of  nine  persons,  including  the  selectmen, 
was  appointed  as  a  health  committee,  who  were  au- 
thorized to  take  such  measures  to  prevent  its  intro- 
duction and  spread  as  should  be  thought  necessary. 
This  committee,  in  discharge  of  their  duty,  caused 
directions  to  be  printed  and  circulated,  in  which  they 
recommended  attention  to  personal  cleanliness,  mod- 
eration in  the  use  of  food,  total  abstinence  from  the 
use  of  distilled  spiritous  liquors,  and  the  exercise  of 
a  moral  courage  that  results  from  a  rational  confi- 
dence in  God. 

July  4th,  1835.  The  anniversary  of  American  in- 
dependence was  celebrated  in  this  town  on  the  3d 
July,  the  4th  being  the  Sabbath,  without  distinction 
of  party.  The  oration  was  by  Edward  Everett,  the 
present  minister  from  this  country  to  Great  Britain, 
who  chose  for  his  subject  the  early  part  of  the  life  of 
George  Washington,  terminating  with  the  French 
war,  about  1756.  This  effort  of  the  distinguished 
orator  was  one  of  his  happiest.     For  an  hour  and  a 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  103 

half,  he  spoke  without  recurrence  to  notes,  and  riv- 
eted the  attention  of  a  crowded  and  overflowing  au- 
dience in  the  Dane  street  meeting-house.  At  the 
close  of  the  exercises,  a  numerous  company,  with 
invited  guests,  including  twelve  revolutionary  vet- 
erans, repaired  to  a  pavilion  erected  on  the  common, 
where  they  partook  of  an  excellent  dinner.  The  pa- 
vilion was  tastefully  decorated  with  flowers  and 
evergreens  by  the  ladies,  who  were  complimented  at 
the  table  in  the  following  toast : 

"  The  Ladies  of  Beverly,  who  have  labored  for  our  present  ac- 
commodation ;  and  with  their  permission  we  would  mention  the 
Lady  Superior,  whose  great  industry  and  good  taste  have  done  so 
much  for  the  beauty  and  ornament  of  the  scenery  about  us.  May 
she  never  consign  herself  to  a  cloister  less  joyous  and  happy  than 
that  which  witnesses  the  festivities  of  this  day." 

Hon.  Robert  Rantoul  presided  at  the  table,  assist- 
ed by  several  vice-presidents ;  and  although  total 
abstinence  from  intoxicating  liquors  did  not  then 
generally  prevail,  yet  the  example  of  the  president, 
and  some  other  teetotalers,  was  not  lost  upon  the 
company  ;  and  on  the  whole,  the  entertainment  may 
be  pronounced  one  of  the  most  orderly,  tasteful  and 
intellectual,  of  its  kind,  ever  enjoyed  by  the  citizens 
of  Beverly.  Among  the  toasts  ofl*ered  on  the  occa- 
sion was  the  following,  in  compliment  to  the  orator  : 

"  The  orator  of  the  day :  The  union  of  genius,  talents  and  in- 
dustry, regulated  by  virtuous  principle,  will  always  command 
respect  and  esteem  from  a  free  and  enlightened  community.  The 
power  of  eloquence,  when  employed  to  promote  harmony,  union 
and  peace  among  friends  and  neighbors,  excites  the  most  grateful 
feelings,  and  merits  the  warmest  praise." 

This  sentiment  was  responded  to  by  Mr.  Everett, 
in  a  neat  and  appropriate  speech,  which  was  received 
with  great  applause.     Addresses  were  also  made  by 


104  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

» 

Hon.  Leverett  Saltonstall  of  Salem,  and  Mr.  Blunt 
of  New  York.  Letters,  accompanied  with  toasts, 
were  read  from  a  number  of  distinguished  gentle- 
men, who  were  unable  to  accept  the  invitations  ex- 
tended to  them. 

The  committee  of  arrangements  consisted  of  four- 
teen citizens,  of  whom  Josiah  Lovett,  2d,  was  chair- 
man. The  escort  duty  was  performed  by  the  Bev- 
erly Light  Infantry.  The  bells  were  rung,  and  sa- 
lutes fired  in  the  morning  and  at  evening ;  and  after 
sunset  a  display  of  fireworks  was  made  on  Watch- 
house  hill.  The  celebration  was  conceived  and  car- 
ried but  in  an  excellent  spirit,  and  the  occasion  pass- 
ed off"  with  fewer  causes  for  regret  than  usually 
attend  festivities  of  this  description. 

August  20th,  a  town  meeting  was  held,  at  which 
a  series  of  resolutions  were  adopted,  and  a  committee 
appointed  to  endeavor  to  obtain  a  change  of  the  loca- 
tion of  the  Eastern  Rail-road,  from  the  east  to  the 
west  side  of  Essex  bridge.  The  objections  to  the 
former  location,  as  urged  in  the  resolutions,  were, 
substantially,  that  the  construction  of  a  bridge  there 
would  materially  injure  the  anchorage  accommoda- 
tions of  the  harbor,  incommode  citizens  engaged  in 
the  cod  fishery,  expose  the  town  to  fire  from  engines, 
endanger  the  lives  of  numerous  children  who  must 
cross  the  road  in  going  to  and  from  school,  and  per- 
manently injure  the  business,  prosperity  and  growth 
of  the  place ;  all  of  which  evils  the  location  of  the 
road  west  of  the  bridge  would  obviate.  At  an  ad- 
journed meeting,  Sept.  17th,  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee was  accepted,  their  number  enlarged,  and  in- 
structions given  them  to  continue  their  efforts  to 
obtain  a  compliance  with  the  resolutions  passed  at 
the  first  meeting.     This  object  was  attained  in  1837. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  105 


AND    ESSEX    BRIDGE. 

Besides  the  houses  for  public  worship,  the  princi- 
pal public  edifices  in  Beverly  are  the  town-hall, 
bank,  and  almshouse.  A  large  three-story  brick 
building  was  erected  in  1839  on  Cabot  street,  at  the 
head  of  Bartlett  street,  by  Mr.  John  Bell,  and  fitted 
up  for  stores,  ofiices,  reading-room,  etc.  It  also  con- 
tains a  hall  for  lectures  and  other  public  assemblies, 
and  is  known  as  ''  Bell's  hall."  A  cupola  surmounts 
the  building,  affording  a  convenient  "  look-out," 
from  which  vessels  may  be  seen  far  away  at  sea. 

The  old  town-hall  occupies  an  elevated  site,  a  short 
distance  easterly  from  the  main  street.  It  was  erected 
in  1798,  by  Mr  Obediah  Groce,  of  Salem,  at  a  cost 
of  about  $2000.  It  is  two  stories  high,  and  has  a 
cupola,  furnished  with  a  bell.  It  was  originally 
built  to  accommodate  the  grammar-school ;  but  when 
completed,  a  vote  was  passed  to  occupy  the  second 
story  for  town  purposes,  previous  to  which  time  town 
meetings  had  been  held  in  the  first  parish  meeting- 
house. It  has  been  variously  altered,  from  time  to 
time,  and  in  1842  was  sold  to  the  grammar  district, 
who  gave  it  the  name  of  Briscoe  Hall. 

The  new  town-hall  stands  on  the  east  side  of 
Cabot  street,  a  little  south  of  the  first  parish  meet- 
ing-house. It  is  of  brick,  three  stories  high,  of 
remarkably  correct  symmetry,  and  is  highly  orna- 
mental to  the  town.  It  was  originally  built  for 
a  private  residence,  by  Andrew  Cabot,  about  fifty- 
five  years  ago,  in  the  most  substantial  manner,  the 
walls  being  very  thick.  It  subsequently  became  the 
property  of  the  late  Israel  Thorndike,  who  orna- 
mented its  ample  grounds  with  numerous  fruit  and 


106  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

forest  trees,  shrubs  and  plants.  In  1841,  it  was  pur- 
chased of  the  heirs  of  Mr.  T.,  and  altered  as  it  now 
appears.  On  the  first  floor  are  rooms  for  the  school 
committee,  selectmen,  assessors  and  town  clerk.  The 
second  and  third  stories  are  thrown  into  one,  making 
a  large  and  commodious  hall,  with  galleries  on  three 
sides,  furnished  with  fixed  seats,  while  for  the  main 
floor  moveable  settees  are  provided.  The  hall  is  light- 
ed with  astral  lamps,  and  the  rostrum  is  furnished 
with  a  sofa  and  chairs.  The  whole  interior  arrange- 
ment is  neat  and  convenient,  and  reflects  great  credit 
on  the  gentlemen  under  whose  superintendence  the 
work  was  executed,  as  well  as  on  the  mechanics  by 
whom  the  labor  was  performed.  The  committee  to 
whom  was  committed  the  care  of  this  enterprize, 
consisted  of  George  Brown,  chairman,  John  Saffbrd, 
Augustus  N.  Clark,  James  Haskell,  and  Francis 
Woodberry. 

The  hall  was  opened  for  public  purposes  October 
26,  184],  with  appropriate  religious  exercises,  and 
an  address  from  Hon.  Robert  Rantoul.  The  build- 
ing, with  the  public  square  adjoining  it,  is  protected 
on  its  west  and  south  sides  by  a  neat  fence  of  chain, 
inserted  in  granite  posts  ;  and  is  shaded  by  a  number 
of  beautiful  horse-chestnut  and  elm  trees.  Alto- 
gether, it  is  one  of  the  finest  and  most  convenient 
buildings  for  town  purposes  in  the  county. 

The  banking  house  is  also  on  Cabot  street,  at  the 
corner  of  Central  street.  It  is  of  brick,  three  stories 
high,  and  was  built  by  John  Cabot,  a  brother  of  An- 
drew, near  the  time  of  the  erection  of  the  new  town- 
hall. 

Attention  was  directed  to  the  wants  of  the  poor, 
very  soon  after  the  town  was  incorporated ;  and  one 
of  the  conditions  of  a  contract,  made  for  the  support 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  107 

of  a  pauper  in  1723,  was,  that  he  should  be  kept  as 
a  christian  ought  to  be  kept.  As  early  as  1719-20, 
a  vote  was  passed  by  the  town  to  build  an  alms- 
house. It  was  afterwards  re-considered,  and  that 
purpose  was  not  finally  accomplished  until  1803, 
when  the  house  now  owned  by  the  town  was  erect- 
ed. It  is  pleasantly  situated  on  a  court,  running 
northerly  from  Cabot  street.  The  house  is  two  sto- 
ries high,  and  contains  twelve  rooms,  besides  two  in 
the  basement ;  one  of  which  is  used  as  a  kitchen, 
and  the  other  as  a  work-room.  The  basement  story 
also  contains  the  necessary  cells  for  the  confinement 
of  disorderly  persons.  The  house  was  very  tho- 
roughly repaired  in  1838,  at  an  expense  of  $2,500, 
and  under  its  present  efficient  management,  affords 
a  humane  asylum  for  the  friendless  poor.  Land 
owned,  and  rented  by  the  town  for  that  purpose,  is 
cultivated  by  the  inmates  of  this  house,  who  raise 
potatoes  and  other  vegetables  sufficient  for  their  own 
consumption,  and  cut  hay  enough  to  keep  two  cows. 
Among  the  greatest  conveniences  obtained  for  this 
town  by  corporate  enterprize,  is  Essex  Bridge.  On 
the  26th  Dec.  1636,  a  ferry  was  established  between 
Salem  Neck,  or  North  Point,  and  Cape- Ann-side,  as 
Beverly  was  then  styled.  It  was  kept  by  John 
Stone,  who  was  to  receive  as  passage-money,  ''2c?. 
for  each  stranger,  and  Id.  for  an  inhabitant  of  Sa- 
lem." The  next  year  (1637)  the  inhabitants  of  Bass- 
River-side,  petitioned  the  court  to  exempt  them  from 
the  ferriage  fee,  on  the  ground  that  they  did  not  re- 
ceive any  part  of  the  toll  profits;  but  the  prayer  was 
not  granted.  In  1639,  the  ferry  was  granted  to  Wil- 
liam Dixy  for  three  years.  He  was  "  to  keep  a  horse- 
boat  j  to  have  for  a  stranger's  passage,  2d]  for  towns- 


108  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

men,  Id-,  for  mares,  horses,  and  other  great  beasts. 
6d.  ;  for  goats,  calves,  and  swine,  2d. 

Jan.  5,  1698-9,  the  ferry-landing  on  the  Beverly- 
side  was  laid  out  by  order  of  the  Court  of  General 
Sessions  of  the  Peace,  on  a  return  by  a  jury.  This 
landing  includes  nearly  all  the  fiats  between  Safford 
&  Stone's  wharves,  and,  although  not  the  property 
of  the  town,  has  been  until  recently  a  public  land- 
ing. In  1749,  the  ferry  was  let  for  £3  sterling  a 
year ;  and  the  rates  of  toll  were  fixed  at  6d.  old  tenor, 
or  1  copper  for  a  passenger,  2  coppers  for  a  horse,  7 
for  a  chair,  9  for  a  two-wheeled  chaise,  and  11  for  a 
four-wheeled  carriage.  In  1783,  it  was  let  for  £30  a 
year.  A  boat  was  to  be  kept  in  the  night  on  each 
side  of  the  river,  and  no  more  than  double  ferriage 
was  to  be  required  at  unseasonable  hours. 

It  appears  from  the  records,  that  this  town  claimed 
a  right  in  the  ferry,  in  opposition  to  the  claims  of 
Salem  to  an  exclusive  property.  In  1742,  it  was 
voted,  that  the  inhabitants  feel  aggrieved  by  Salem's 
taking  away  their  former  privilege  in  passing  and 
repassing  the  ferry  between  Salem  and  Beverly,  and 
a  committee  was  chosen  to  treat  with  the  selectmen 
of  Salem  about  the  matter,  and  to  report  ten  days 
before  the  subsequent  meeting  in  March.  At  the 
March  meeting,  following,  in  1742-3,  the  report  of 
this  committee  was  considered  and  accepted,  but 
further  proceedings  stayed  until  the  action  of  Salem 
thereon  was  ascertained.  At  a  meeting  in  September 
of  the  same  year,  a  committee  of  five  was  appointed 
to  use  all  lawful  means  for  recovering  the  town's 
right  in  the  ferry,  and  Mr.  Bollan  was  retained  as 
counsel.  At  a  meeting,  Dec.  26,  1743,  John  Thorn- 
dike,  jr.  was  appointed  agent  for  the  town  in  rela- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  109 

tion  to  this  dispute,  but  in  what  manner  it  was  ad- 
justed, if  ever,  is  unknown. 

As  population  and  travel  increased,  the  inconve- 
nience of  a  ferry  must  have  been  proportionably 
reahzed,  and  the  erection  of  Charles  river  bridge, 
connecting  Boston  with  Charlestown,  suggested  the 
idea  of  a  similar  improvement  here.  The  subject 
was  brought  before  the  town  at  a  meeting  held  June 
21st,  1787,  on  the  petition  of  Thomas  Stephens  and 
others,  and  a  unanimous  vote  was  passed  to  instruct 
the  selectmen  to  petition  the  General  Court  to  grant 
George  Cabot  and  others  an  act  of  incorporation,  for 
the  purpose  of  building  a  bridge.  The  selectmen, 
to  whom  this  duty  was  assigned,  were  Joseph  Rea, 
John  Lovett,  4th,  Charles  Dodge,  Jonathan  Conant 
and  Asa  Leach.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was 
granted,  though  not  without  opposition,  Nov.  17th, 
1787.  The  persons  named  as  corporators,  were 
George  Cabot,  John  Cabot,  John  Fiske,  of  Salem, 
Israel  Thorndike,  and  Joseph  White,  of  Salem,  whose 
shocking  murder,  in  the  night  of  April  6th,  1830, 
thrilled  the  community  with  horror.  The  first  pro- 
prietors' meeting  was  held  at  the  Sun  tavern,  in  Sa- 
lem, Dec.  13,  1787,  of  which  Nathan  Dane  was  mod- 
erator, and  William  Prescott,  clerk. 

The  first  directors  were  George  Cabot,  John  Fiske, 
Andrew  Cabot,  Joseph  White,  Edward  Pulling,  Jo- 
seph Lee  and  George  Dodge.  At  the  first  meeting 
of  the  directors,  George  Cabot  was  chosen  president, 
George  Dodge  and  John  Fiske,  vice-presidents,  and 
Thomas  Davis,  jr.  treasurer.  Robert  Rantoul  was 
chosen  president  in  1838,  and  has  since  sustained 
the  office. 

The  first  ^ier  was  laid  in  May,  1788,  and  on  the 
10 


110  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

24lh  September  of  the  same  year,  the  bridge  was 
opened  for  passage.  The  bridge  is  1 484  feet  long, 
32  feet  wide,  and  consists  of  93  piers.  It  has  a  draw, 
with  convenient  piers,  hawser,  etc.  for  the  accom- 
modation of  vessels  passing  it.  Its  cost  was  about 
$16,000.  The  stock  is  divided  into  two  hundred 
shares,  and  for  several  years  previous  to  1830,  sold 
for  about  five  times  the  original  par  value.  It  is 
still  good  property.  The  proprietors  are  required  to 
pay  to  Salem  £40  annually,  as  compensation  for  the 
ferry- ways,  and  £10  to  Danvers. 

With  a  view,  as  it  seems,  to  prevent  a  diversion  of 
travel  from  Danvers  Neck,  which  it  was  apprehended 
the  erection  of  Essex  bridge  would  effect,  a  bridge 
was  commenced,  and  though  opposed  by  the  corpo- 
ration of  Essex  bridge,  completed  over  Frost  Fish 
river,  near  where  the  dam  of  the  Danvers  and  Bev- 
erly iron-works  company  now  is.  The  feeling  in 
which  this  work  was  accomplished,  gave  it  the  name 
of  Spite  bridge^  the  memory  of  which  time  has  not 
entirely  obliterated.  The  right  to  take  toll  on  Essex 
bridge  was  granted  for  seventy  years  from  its  open- 
ing, when  it  reverts  to  the  Commonwealth.^ 


SCHOOLS    AND    ACADEMY. 

The  history  of  education  in  this  town,  could  it  be 
written  in  detail,  would  be  exceedingly  interesting 
and  instructive,  illustrating  the  importance  it  has 
ever  held  in  the  estimation  of  its  citizens ;  and  show- 

*  The  course  of  the  bridge  from  Beverly  side  to  Salem,  is  south 
5  deg.  west. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  Ill 

ing  the  various  progress  it  has  made  here  in  com- 
mon with  sister  towns.  It  is  probable  that  provision 
of  some  kind  was  made  for  the  education  of  children 
very  soon  after  the  settlement  in  1630,  though  noth- 
ing relating  to  the  subject  is  found  on  record  until 
1656,  when  a  meeting-house  was  built,  which  was 
also  used  for  a  school-house.  For  aught  that  is 
known,  this  arrangement  continued  for  a  period  of 
more  than  eighteen  years,  when,  Nov.  5th,  1674,  a 
school-house  was  ordered  to  be  built  on  the  town's 
land,  near  the  meeting-house,  20  feet  long,  16  feet 
wide,  and  9  feet  stud.  This  was  also  to  serve  the 
purpose  of  a  watch-house.  At  what  time  this  order 
was  executed  does  not  appear.  The  erection  of  this 
building,  from  causes  unknown,  was  probably  de- 
layed several  years,  as  by  an  arrangement  entered 
into  May  19,  1677,  with  Samuel  Hardie,  (the  first 
schoolmaster  whose  name  is  recorded,)  it  was  stipu- 
lated that  he  should  have  the  meeting-house  to  teach 
in  during  that  summer,  and  some  other  place  during 
the  winter.  His  agreement  with  the  selectmen,  was 
"  to  teach  ordinary  learning  according  to  the  utmost 
of  his  ability,  and  to  take  a  faithful  account,  and 
receive  pay  according  to  ordinary  rates,"  His  first 
contract  was  for  the  year,  and  if  the  payments  of 
the  scholars  did  not  amount  to  £20,  the  town  was  to 
meet  the  deficiency ;  and  if  the  payments  exceeded 
that  sum,  he  was  to  pay  the  surplus  to  the  town. 
He  continued  to  keep  the  school  for  several  years. 
He  was  the.  son  of  Robert  Hardie,  a  citizen  and 
haberdasher  of  London.  Jan.  24,  1675,  he  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  Dudley,  of  Exeter.  Nov. 
5,  1674,  he  was  chosen  clerk  of  the  writs  for  Bev- 
erly, and  Sept.  1,  1684.  was  employed,  with  Andrew 


112  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Elliot,  to  transcribe  the  town  records  into  a  new 
book.  Besides  being  a  teacher  of  youth,  he  is  sup- 
posed to  have  exercised  the  functions  of  a  physi- 
cian. 

At  a  town  meeting  Nov.  2,  1686,  it  was  "agreed 
by  said  town,  witli  Corporal  David  Perkins,  that  the 
said  town  should  have  and  did  hire  of  said  Perkins, 
one  convenient  room  or  chamber  with  a  fire-room 
in  it,  for  the  space  of  six  months  after  the  date  here- 
of, for  the  just  sum  of  10s.  in  pay,  for  a  place  for 
Mr.  John  Pearly  to  teach  school  in  during  said  term, 
for  the  use  of  said  town.  And  further,  it  was  then 
agreed  that  the  new  selectmen,  with  the  assistance 
of  Capt.  William  Rayment  and  Corporal  Thomas 
West,  as  a  committee,  were  chosen  to  agree  with 
said  schoolmaster,  about  the  terms  of  teaching  for 
said  town,  provided  that  said  committee  do  not  ex- 
ceed £20  in  pay,  or  £10  in  money,  for  said  teaching 
one  whole  year  from  the  date  hereof." 

In  1700,  in  conformity  to  the  law  then  in  force,  a 
grammar-school  was  established,  and  Robert  Hale, 
son  of  the  minister,  was  appointed  master,  with  a 
salary  of  £10,  and  an  additional  allowance  if  he 
kept  an  English  school.  The  next  year  the  school 
was  kept  by  Daniel  Dodge.  In  1704,  James  Hale, 
another  son  of  the  minister,  was  the  master,  who 
taught  writing,  reading,  casting  accounts,  Latin  and 
Greek  grammar,  at  a  salary  of  £30.  In  1720,  the 
school  was  kept  by  Pyam  Blowers,  son  of  the  min- 
ister, who  is  the  last  of  the  early  teachers  of  whom 
record  is  made.^     In  1782,  the  grammar-school  was 

*  John  Rogers,  Henry  Rust,  William  Shurlliff  and  John  Cotton, 
are  among  the  graduates  of  Harvard  College,  who  were  teachers  in 
this  school  at  an  early  period. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  113 

discontinued,  for  which  the  town  was  presented  to 
the  Court  of  Sessions,  when  it  was  resumed  again 
and  continued  without  further  interruption  to  1825, 
a  period  of  124  years.  The  grammar-school  was 
kept  in  various  places  till  1798,  when  it  was  estab- 
lished during  its  further  continuance  in  the  new 
house  on  Watch-house  Hill,  the  second  story  of 
which  was  fitted  up  for  town  purposes. 

About  1700,  attention  to  the  schools  declined, 
but  revived  again  about  1749,  when  the  teacher  was 
required  to  return  a  list  to  the  selectmen,  of  the 
names  of  parents  and  masters,  and  the  number  of 
children  and  servants  belonging  to  each,  that  were 
instructed  by  him.  The  selectmen  were  to  tax  the 
parents  and  masters  for  the  support  of  the  school, 
except  such  as  they  judged  proper  to  exempt,  and 
commit  the  tax  to  one  of  the  constables  for  collec- 
tion. Any  person  refusing  to  pay  for  his  proportion 
of  fuel,  was  to  be  punished  by  his  children  or  ser- 
vants being  denied  the  privilege  of  warming  them- 
selves at  the  schoolhouse  fire  ! 

At  a  meeting  March  20th,  1749-50,  the  sum  of 
£32,  old  tenor,  was  voted  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
east  part  of  the  town,  to  enable  them  to  keep  a 
school  four  months  in  the  year.  The  next  year 
£4.5.8,  lawful  money,  was  voted  them  for  the  same 
purpose,  and  in  1752,  it  was  voted  that  the  grammar- 
school  should  be  kept  in  that  part  of  the  town  in 
proportion  to  what  they  paid  towards  taxes.  From 
1754  to  1825,  various  changes  and  improvements 
were  made,  when  the  grammar-school  was  abolished, 
and  a  vote  was  passed  to  divide  the  school  money 
raised  by  the  town,  among  the  ten  school  districts  as 
they  now  exist,  according  to  the  number  of  ratable 
10^ 


114  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

polls.  In  1836,  the  school  committee  revised  the 
school  regulations,  which,  at  a  subsequent  town- 
meeting  were  adopted.  The  books  prescribed  for 
the  use  of  the  schools  in  those  regulations,  are — Cum- 
mings'  Spelling  Book,  New  Testament,  Young  Rea- 
der, Introduction  to  the  National  Reader,  National 
Reader,  Sullivan's  Political  Class  Book,  Wood- 
bridge's  Geography  and  Atlas,  Colburn's  Arithmetic 
first  part  and  sequel,  Goodrich's  History  of  the 
United  States,  Comstock's  Philosophy,  Holbrook's 
Geometry,  Fowle's  Linear  Drawing,  Blair's  Rhet- 
oric, Colburn's  Algebra,  Bowditch's  Navigator,  Wor- 
cester's Dictionary,  Story's  Abridgement,  Parker's 
Natural  Philosophy,  Greenleaf's  Arithmetic — to 
which  list  others  have  since  been  added.  It  is  made 
the  duty  of  instructors  to  exert  their  best  endeavors 
to  impress  on  the  minds  of  children  and  youth,  com- 
mitted to  their  care  and  instruction,  the  principles  of 
piety,  justice,  and  a  sacred  regard  to  truth  ;  love  to 
their  country,  humi^nity  and  universal  benevolence ; 
sobriety,  industry  and  frugality ;  chastity,  modera- 
tion and  temperance ;  and  those  other  virtues  which 
are  the  ornament  of  human  society  and  the  basis 
upon  which  a  republican  constitution  is  founded  : 
but  no  books  are  to  be  used  in  school  which  are  cal- 
culated to  favor  the  tenets  of  any  particular  sect  of 
christians. 

By  the  returns  of  1841,  it  appears  that  the  num- 
ber of  persons  in  this  town  between  the  ages  of 
4  and  16,  is  1249,  being  an  increase  of  40  since  the 
census  of  1840,  and  of  122  since  1839.  The  number 
of  all  ages  in  all  the  schools  is  1345,  of  which  num- 
ber 50  are  over  16  years,  and  46  under  4.  The  av- 
erage attendance  in  the  schools  in  summer,  is  504 ; 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  115 

in  winter.  593;  making  152  less  than  the  whole  num- 
ber between  4  and  16.  The  number  of  children  in 
primary  schools  is  817.  In  1809,  the  school  money- 
was  ordered  to  be  rated  at  ^1.90  for  each  poll,  which 
is  the  sum  assessed  at  present.  The  amount  raised 
by  taxes  for  the  support  of  schools  in  1798,  was 
$1140;  in  1806,  $1600,  and  for  their  support  last 
year,  $2240.10.  The  gross  amount  paid  for  public 
and  private  tuition,  including  the  academy,  is  up- 
wards of  $5000.  The  schoolhouses,  ten  in  number, 
were,  with  a  single  exception,  erected  before  public  at- 
tention was  awakened,  as  for  the  last  few  years  it  has 
been,  to  the  improved  construction  of  such  buildings. 
They  are,  nevertheless,  commodious  and  in  good 
condition.  A  convenient  schoolhouse  was  erected 
in  Bass  river  district  in  the  autumn  of  1842. 

The  report  of  the  school  committee,  made  to  the 
town  meeting,  March  10,  1806,  is  recorded  at  length. 
This  is  the  commencement  of  a  series  of  able  reports 
on  the  state  of  the  schools,  which  have  been  con- 
tinued to  this  time,  with  manifest  good  effect  in  rais- 
ing the  standard  of  education.  By  spreading  a  gen- 
eral statement  of  the  condition  and  relative  improve- 
ment of  the  schools  before  all  the  citizens  at  the  an- 
nual town  meeting,  a  more  general  interest  in  the 
subject  is  excited.  Emulation  is  also  produced 
among  the  respective  districts,  which  tends  to  the 
improvement  of  their  schools.  Without  this  general 
diffusion  of  knowledge  concerning  the  schools,  any 
attempts  at  improvement,  made  in  town  meetings, 
will  always  be  received  with  an  indifference  more 
fatal  to  success  than  positive  opposition.  But  the 
benefit  of  these  reports  is  not  confined  exclusively 
to  the  towns  to  which  they  are  made.     By  a  provi- 


116  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

sion  of  law,  a  copy  of  them  is  required  to  be  sent, 
with  the  annual  returns,  to  the  secretary  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, for  the  use  of  the  Board  of  Education. 
They  are  then  examined  by  the  secretary  of  the 
board,  who  makes  such  extracts  as  he  judges  may 
be  serviceable,  and  incorporates  them  with  the  ab- 
stracts of  returns  which  he  makes  to  the  board. 
These  are  published  in  a  volume,  and  a  copy  sent  to 
each  of  the  towns  in  the  Commonwealth ;  and  thus, 
an  account  of  any  improved  method  of  managing 
schools,  or  a  useful  hint  made  in  a  report  of  one 
town,  may  become  available  to  every  district  in  the 
State. 

For  the  gratifying  change  effected  in  the  character 
of  the  public  schools,  from  1804  to  1827,  the  town  is 
chiefly  indebted  to  the  school  committee,  and  espe- 
cially to  its  chairman,  Rev.  Dr.  Abbot,  for  that  pe- 
riod, whose  unwearied  devotedness  and  careful  at- 
tention to  the  qualifications  of  teachers,  contributed 
essentially  to  elevate  the  standard  of  education. 
Since  the  impulse  thus  given,  succeeding  committees 
have  watched  over  the  schools  with  unabated  inter- 
est, and  performed  an  amount  of  service  highly  cred- 
itable to  their  public  spirit.  The  requisitions  of  the 
law  have  been  conformed  to,  and  a  gradual  improve- 
ment has  been  made.  The  condition  of  the  schools 
at  the  present  time  is  better  than  at  any  former  pe- 
riod. In  the  grammar  district  arrangements  are 
made  by  which  the  poorest  children*  may  obtain  a 
good  academic  education,  and  if  they  desire  it,  be 
advanced  in  a  collegiate  course. 

The  public  schools,  it  has  been  justly  remarked 
by  one  whose  age  and  experience  give  weight  to  his 
words,  "  ought  to  be  equal   to  the  wants  of  every 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  117 

class  in  society;  and  until  they  are  made  so,  they  do 
not  answer  the  proper  end  of  their  institution.  If 
any  class  are  obliged  to  separate  from  others  in  the 
EDUCATION  of  their  children,  it  lays  the  foundation  for 
distinctions  and  separations  in  society  in  riper  years, 
incompatible  with  those  principles  of  equality  which 
ought  to  be  so  carefully  cultivated  and  guarded  by 
all  who  have  at  heart  the  preservation  of  our  political 
institutions,"  The  public  school  system  was  con- 
ceived in  the  spirit  of  republicanism.  It  proposes  to 
educate  for  all  the  practical  purposes  of  life,  the  mass, 
who  without  its  aid  must  suffer  the  evils  of  ignor- 
ance, as  well  as  entail  those  evils  on  the  community. 
And  it  further  aims  to  strengthen  the  arch  of  repub- 
lican institutions,  and  to  perpetuate  social  equality, 
by  bringing  together  and  subjecting  to  a  common 
training  the  children  and  youth  of  all  stations.  If 
the  spirit  of  its  conception  is  kept  constantly  in  view 
by  the  guardians  of  education,  this  desirable  and 
important  result  may  be  obtained,  guaranteeing  there- 
by the  fulfilment  of  the  fondest  hopes  of  the  patriot 
and  philanthropist.  How  far,  or  how  soon,  the  pub- 
lic schools  will  be  equal  to  the  wants  of  every  class 
in  society,  must  mainly  depend  on  the  parents  and 
guardians  of  youth.  Laws  may  do  something  and 
school  committees  may  do  more ;  but,  unless  seconded 
by  those  who  have  the  deepest  interest  at  stake,  the 
progress  must  be  necessarily  slow.  Schools  may 
have  a  name  to  live  ;  but  while  parents  and  guard- 
ians are  indifferent  to  their  improvement,  it  is  com- 
paratively little  that  committees  can  effect.  The 
destiny  of  these  institutions — colleges  of  the  people, 
as  they  have  been  denominated — is  not  in  the  custody 
of  the  legislature  exclusively,  nor  yet  in  the  care  of 


118  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

a  few  individuals  appointed  by  the  town  to  examine 
into  their  condition  from  time  to  time.  It  is  in  the 
hands  of  parents  and  guardians,  and  on  them  rests 
the  responsibiUty  of  their  prosperous  existence.  If 
parents  will  do  for  their  children  as  much  as  they  do 
for  favorite  animals — if  they  will  see  that  their  bodies 
are  warmly,  comfortably  and  healthfully  housed,  and 
their  minds  suitably  fed — if  they  will  visit  the  school 
with  something  of  the  interest  with  which  they  go 
to  their  various  employments,  and  with  frequency — 
if  they  will  exercise  their  right  in  demanding  high 
qualifications  in  teachers,  and  in  nameless  other 
ways  second  the  views  and  come  up  to  the  help  of 
committees  and  the  friends  of  education,  public  schools 
will  flourish,  and  the  bread  thus  cast  upon  the  waters 
will  return  in  an  abundant  and  well-ripened  intellec- 
tual harvest. 

The  Beverly  Academy  was  projected  as  a  private 
school  in  February,  1833,  by  a  number  of  gentlemen, 
who  associated  for  that  purpose.  On  the  1st  of  May 
following,  they  purchased  an  eligible  lot  of  land  on 
the  north-easterly  side  of  Washington  street,  and, 
dividing  the  property  into  thirty-two  shares,  immedi- 
ately commenced  the  erection  of  a  building  suited  to 
their  object.  On  the  17th  June,  the  same  year,  the 
school  was  opened  under  Abiel  Abbot,  of  Wilton, 
N.  H.,  as  principal,  and  Mary  R.  Peabody,  as  assist- 
ant. Mr.  Abbot  was  succeeded  the  next  year  by 
Charles  A.  Peabody,  of  Tamworth,  N.  H.  He  con- 
tinued only  one  term,  when  Edward  Bradstreet  was 
employed.  On  the  30th  January,  1835,  the  proprie- 
tors of  the  school  obtained  an  act  of  incorporation, 
and  Mr.  Bradstreet  continued  the  instruction  until 
30th  June,  1836.     His  assistant,  with  some  intermis- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  119 

sion,  was  Ann  W.  Abbot.  He  was  succeeded  on 
25th  July  following  by  Thomas  Barnard  West,  who 
remained  principal  till  his  much-lamented  death  in 
October  last.  His  assistants  have  been  Mary  Wil- 
liams, Ann  W.  Abbot  and  Mary  T.  Weld.  The 
present  principal  is  Edward  Appleton,  who  graduat- 
ed at  Cambridge  in  the  class  of  1835.  The  average 
number  of  pupils  has  been  about  30  of  both  sexes, 
more  than  half  of  whom  were  males.  The  Academy 
has  been  from  the  first  under  excellent  supervision, 
and  has  won  for  itself  a  deservedly  popular  reputa- 
tion. 

In  1837,  a  school  was  commenced  in  the  second 
parish,  and  incorporated  as  the  New  England  Christ- 
ian Academy.  This  school  was  conducted  on  the 
manual  labor  system,  and  during  its  continuance, 
averaged  about  60  pupils.  Its  preceptor,  with  the 
exception  of  a  single  term,  was  Mr.  Joseph  Henry 
Siewers.  The  Academy  remained  in  operation  less 
than  two  years,  when,  for  reasons  of  a  pecuniary 
nature,  it  was  closed.  The  principal  university  in 
the  United  States  has  found  munificent  friends  among 
the  citizens  of  this  town,  who,  within  about  twenty 
years,  have  made  bequests  and  donations  to  it 
amounting  to  nearly  $50,000.=*^ 


COLLEGE    GRADUATES. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  persons  born  in  this  town, 
graduated  at  the  several  colleges  in  New  England. 

*  Quincy's  Hist.  Harvard  College. 


120  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

The  list  doubtless  exhibits  less  than  the  whole  num- 
ber, as  the  means  for  obtaining  an  accurate  account 
are  necessarily  imperfect. 

Harvard.  1686,  Robert  Hale.  1703,  James  Hale. 
1721,  Robert  Hale,  jr.,  Pyam  Blowers.  1724,  Wil- 
liam Balch.  1728,  Joseph  Lovett.  1731,  Henry 
Hale.  1732,  Joseph  Herrick.  1733,  Thomas  Balch. 
1738,  John  Chipman.  1767,  Henry  Herrick.  1777, 
Jacob  Herrick.  1782,  Benjamin  Bartlett,  Larkin 
Thorndike.  1791,  Nathaniel  C.  Lee.  1799,  Joseph 
Dane.  1806,  Daniel  Oliver.  1809,  Nathaniel  K. 
Ohver.  1810,  Thomas  Stephens.  1812,  Charles 
Brown.  1813,  William  Thorndike.  1816,  Augus- 
tus Thorndike.  1818,  Henry  K.  Oliver  (honorary 
degree).  1820,  Ingalls  Kittredge,  Jr.  1826,  An- 
drew P.  Peabody,  Robert  Rantoul,  Jr. 

BowDoiN.  George  Thorndike  (honorary  degree  at 
Harvard,  1807).  1811,  John  M'Kean.  1817,  James 
M'Kean.  William  Abbott  and  Isaac  Rea  (date  un- 
known). 1826,  George  Trask.  Frederick  Choate 
(date  unknown). 

Amherst.  1831,  Benjamin  Ober.  1836,  D.  Oli- 
phant.  1839,  James  D.  Trask.  1842,  Issacher  Le- 
favour. 

Yale.     Nathaniel  Dike,  Joseph  Shaw. 

Dartmouth.  1796,  Josiah  Batchelder  (degree  of 
M.  B.  at  Harvard,  1799).  1839,  Benjamin  Franklin 
Edwards. 


The  Social  Library  was  commenced  by  subscrip- 
tion, Jan.  20th,  1802.     It  was  divided  into  one  hun- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  121 

dred  and  thirty-two  shares,  and  an  assessment  of  $5 
laid  on  each  share.  The  $660  thus  raised,  was  in- 
vested in  a  valuable  collection  of  books,  selected  by- 
Joshua  Fisher,  Nathan  Dane,  and  Thomas  Davis, 
assisted  by  Rev.  Mr.  McKean.  This  collection  has 
been  increased  from  time  to  time  by  donations,  and 
by  purchase  with  sums  raised  by  assessments,  until 
it  now  contains  not  far  from  one  thousand  volumes. 
The  original  share-holders  were  seventy-two.  They 
now  number  more  than  one  hundred. 

The  library  is  supplied  with  several  of  the  most 
valuable  foreign  and  domestic  periodical  publications, 
and  books  are  added  from  time  to  time  by  the  trus- 
tees, who  are  invested  with  discretionary  powers. 
The  utility  and  benefit  of  this  institution  were  sensi- 
bly felt  soon  after  its  establishment,  when  books  were 
comparatively  scarce  and  costly,  affording,  as  it  did, 
to  many  families,  the  perusal  of  valuable  books  not 
readily  elsewhere  found ;  and  its  usefulness  is  con- 
stantly increasing. 

The  Mechanics'  Association  possess  a  select  and 
increasing  library,  which  affords  the  means  of  intel- 
lectual improvement  to  its  members.  This  and  the 
Social  Library  are  kept  in  the  school-committee  room, 
in  the  town-hall,  both  of  which  are  open  weekly,  the 
former  on  Thursday  and  the  latter  on  Saturday,  for 
the  delivery  and  return  of  books.  Connected  with 
some  of  the  churches,  particularly  the  First,  are  val- 
uable libraries.  There  is  a  circulating  library  kept 
by  Stephens  Baker,  and  several  good  private  collec- 
tions. But  the  most  striking  and  important  feature 
in  the  diffusion,  among  us,  of  useful  knowledge  by 
books  and  reading,  is  the  School  District  Library 
11 


122  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

It  had,  for  several  years,  been  an  object  of  desire  to 
the  friends  of  education,  that  something  might  be 
effected  for  the  intellectual  benefit  of  a  large  and 
constantly  increasing  juvenile  population,  who  from 
local  and  other  causes,  were  not  enjoying  the  advan- 
tages to  be  obtained  in  populous  villages  and  cities. 
To  this  end,  a  resolve  was  passed  in  General  Court, 
1842,  appropriating  $15  from  the  State  school  fund, 
to  every  school  district  in  the  Commonwealth  that 
shall  raise  a  like  sum  for  the  purchase  of  a  school 
library.  By  the  establishment  of  such  libraries  in 
each  district,  the  means  of  intelligence  are  placed  in 
the  hands  of  every  child ;  and  if  the  books  are  select- 
ed, as  they  should  be,  with  reference  to  usefulness, 
entertainment  and  moral  influence,  the  result  cannot 
be  otherwise  than  propitious  to  intellectual  and  moral 
development;  and  it  is  highly  creditable  to  this  town, 
that  the  provisions  of  the  resolve  are  very  generally 
complied  with ;  so  that,  with  the  Sunday-school 
libraries,  in  each  of  the  religious  societies,  the  youth 
of  Beverly  are  in  the  possession  of  unusual  advan- 
tages. Simultaneously  with  the  inception  of  this 
plan,  a  publishing  firm  in  Boston  commenced  the 
publication  of  a  series  of  works,  under  the  supervi- 
sion of  the  Board  of  Education,  entitled  the  "  Com- 
mon School  Library."  It  consists  of  fifty  12mo. 
volumes,  and  the  same  number  of  18mo.  size,  adapt- 
ed to  the  capacities  of  young  readers.  Taking  into 
view  the  distinguished  character  of  the  board,  con- 
sisting of  gentlemen  of  both  political  parties  and  of 
different  religious  denominations,  the  freedom  of  the 
books  from  sectarian  peculiarities,  and  the  superior 
mechanical  execution   of  the  work,   these  volumes 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  123 

may  be  pronounced  unrivalled  by  any  series  ever 
issued  from  the  American  press,  and  are  worthy,  as 
they  will  command,  an  extensive  patronage. 

The  other  means  for  general  information  in  this 
town,  are  three  reading  rooms,  which  are  well 
suppHed  with  newspapers.  A  lyceum  was  estab- 
lished here  among  the  earliest  in  New  England,  and 
has  been,  to  this  time,  successfully  sustained. 


MERCHANTS. 

In  the  list  of  distinguished  merchants  and  valued 
citizens,  may  be  recorded  the  names  of  George,  An- 
drew, and  John  Cabot,  Moses  Brown,  Israel  Thorn- 
dike,  Joseph  Lee,  John  and  Thomas  Stephens. 

George  Cabot  was  born  in  Salem,  in  1751,  and  in 
childhood  came  to  this  town.  He  early  engaged  in 
commercial  pursuits,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  be- 
came the  master  of  a  vessel,  in  which  capacity  he 
visited  various  parts  of  Europe.  Mr.  Cabot  belonged 
to  that  class  of  citizens,  who  have  contributed  so 
much  to  the  prosperity  of  the  United  States,  and 
who  gave  occasion  to  Burke's  splendid  eulogium  on 
the  enterprize  and  intelligence  of  New  England  nav- 
igators. His  sea-faring  life  was  made  subservient 
to  the  improvement  of  a  mind  naturally  contemplat- 
ive and  quick  to  discern.  The  countries,  customs, 
and  people,  with  whom  his  foreign  voyages  made 
him  acquainted,  were  regarded  with  the  eye  of  a 
statesman  and  philosopher,  and  he  drew  from  them 
enlightened  and  comprehensive  views  of  human 
nature  and  society. 


124  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

In  1779,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five,  Mr.  Cabot  was 
chosen  by  the  town  delegate  to  the  provincial  con- 
gress which  met  at  Concord,  with  a  view  to  the  vis- 
ionary project  of  ordaining  a  maximum  of  prices. 
At  this  time,  in  the  ruinous  condition  of  commerce, 
it  was  hoped  to  cheapen  commodities  by  forcing  tlie 
holders  to  sell  at  reduced  and  fixed  rates.  Good 
sense  triumphed  over  folly,  and  it  was  at  this  con- 
gress that  Mr.  Cabot  first  displayed  that  profound 
acquaintance  with  the  correct  principles  of  political 
economy,  for  which,  throughout  his  life, -he  was  most 
remarkable.  Before  Adam  Smith  was  known  in 
this  country,  and  twenty  years  before  Say  and  the 
continental  writers  had  formed  any  correct  ideas  on 
the  subject,  he  maintained  the  present  prevailing  and 
enlightened  doctrines  concerning  domestic  and  inter- 
national commerce. 

He  was  an  influential  member  of  the  state  conven- 
tion, in  1788,  which  was  called  to  deliberate  on  the 
adoption  of  the  federal  constitution  ;  and  in  securing 
the  dearest  interests  of  the  country,  was  associated 
with  King,  Ames,  and  Parsons.  Subsequently  to 
this,  he  was  elected  to  the  United  States  senate.  Of 
that  body  he  possessed  the  entire  confidence,  and 
was  at  the  same  time  the  confidential  friend  of  Wash- 
ington and  Hamilton,  then  the  eye  and  ear  of  the 
nation.  If  there  be  any  merit  in  the  financial  sys- 
tem reported  by  Hamilton,  and  preserved  through 
all  the  changes  of  parties,  Mr.  Cabot  is  entitled  to  a 
large  share  of  it;  for  upon  his  commercial  knowledge 
and  profound  views,  not  only  of  finance  but  of  polit- 
ical economy,  Gen.  Hamilton  reposed  the  most  un- 
limited confidence.  The  friendship  and  mutual  re- 
gard of  these  two  distinguished  statesmen  continued 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  125 

till  the  premature  and  lamented  death  of  Hamilton. 
Nor  was  the  intimacy  between  Cabot  and  Ames  less 
close.  They  were  united  in  feeling,  principle,  purity 
and  patriotism. 

Mr.  Cabot  never  courted  distinctions,  and  it  was 
with  reluctance  that  he  accepted  the  office  of  sena- 
tor.^ At  the  expiration  of  the  fifth  year  of  his  ser- 
vice, he  resigned  his  seat,  to  enjoy  once  more  the 
congenial  calm  of  private  life.  In  1793,  he  removed 
from  Beverly  to  Boston  and  though  he  shunned 
office  and  place,  his  influence  continued  undiminish- 
ed. In  1814,  he  felt  himself  constrained  to  yield  his 
preference,  and  for  a  short  time  appeared  again  in 
public  life,  as  president  of  the  convention  which 
met  at  Hartford,  just  before  the  close  of  the  late  war. 
Of  that  convention,  so  suggestive  of  subsequent  po- 
litical disquisitions,  it  is  not  proposed  here  to  express 
an  opinion.  But  in  sanctioning  it  with  his  presence 
and  counsel,  Mr.  Cabot's  age,  good  sense,  and  well- 
known  principles,  warrant  the  affirmation,  that  he 
followed  the  suggestions  of  mature  reflection,  and 
acted  with  the  purest  motives  and  views.  Indeed, 
for  forty  years  he  was  the  Nestor,  the  wise,  calm 
and  considerate  counsellor,  of  most  of  the  intelligent 
statesmen  on  the  federal  side,  in  our  State  and  na- 
tional governments.  Asking  nothing  for  himself, 
hoping  and  wishing  nothing  for  his  friends,  with  a 
mind  capable  of  comprehending  the  most  abstruse 
questions,  and  ready  to  discuss  the  most  simple — 
without  parade,  without  assumption,  applying  the 
powers  of  a  most  persuasive  eloquence  in  the  most 
finished  language,  pouring  forth  the  stores  of  a  mind 

*  When  the  Navy  Department  was  created,  Mr.  Cabot  was  offered 
the  office  of  First  Secretary  by  the  elder  Adams,  which  he  declined- 
11# 


126  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

enriched  by  various  literature  and  research — he  never 
failed  to  convince,  or  inform,  or  persuade.  The 
great  characteristics  of  his  mind,  in  which  all  would 
agree,  were  simplicity  and  profoundness.  It  is  im- 
possible to  calculate  how  extensive  are  the  effects  of 
such  a  mind  on  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  a  state, 
and  its  value  can  be  best  realized  only  by  its  loss.^ 

Mr.  Cabot  died  at  Boston,  April  ISth,  1823,  in  the 
72d  year  of  his  age,  after  a  painful  sickness,  which 
he  endured  with  christian  resignation.  The  author 
of  an  obituary  notice,  and  who  had  for  many  years 
known  him  intimately,  says,  "  No  one  could  converse 
with  Mr.  Cabot  an  hour,  without  being  struck  with 
the  correctness  of  his  sentiments,  the  liberality  of 
his  opinions,  the  fitness  of  his  illustrations,  and  the 
propriety  and  beauty  of  the  language  with  which 
his  thoughts  were  clothed.  No  one  could  see  him, 
indeed,  and  mark  the  proportions  of  his  form,  the 
dignity  and  grace  of  his  demeanor,  and  the  expres- 
sion of  his  manly  and  intelhgent  countenance,  with- 
out being  convinced  that  he  was  no  common  man. 

"  But  they  who  saw  him  often,  and  knew  him  in- 
timately, could  best  estimate  the  resolirces  of  his 
mind  and  the  high  worth  of  his  character.  He  had 
always  something  new  to  communicate,  for  delight 
and  instruction ;  and  they  who  conversed  with  him 
every  week  and  day  had  never  occasion  to  complain 
that  his  stock  of  thoughts  was  exhausted,  or  that 
there  was  nothing  more  to  be  learned  from  him. 
Integrity,  firm  principle,  and  a  high  sense  of  true 
honor,  were  the  habits  of  Mr.  Cabot's  soul;  and  with 
these  were  blended  sympathy,  benevolence,  and  a 
singular  modesty. 

*  Kirkland's  sermon  on  the  death  of  George  Cabot. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  127 

''In  short,  there  was  in  Mr.  Cabot's  character,  a 
rare  union  of  those  quahties  which  constitute  true 
goodness,  and  raise  man  to  the  high  dignity  of  which 
his  nature  is  susceptible.  To  borrow  a  passage  from 
the  eloquent  sermon,  preached  on  the  Sunday  after 
his  interment,  by  President  Kirkland,  it  may  be  said 
with  confidence,  that  '  the  enumeration  of  the  prin- 
cipal virtues,  considered  in  relation  to  ourselves,  our 
fellow-men,  and  the  Deity,  is  a  delineation  of  his 
character.  He  was  distinguished  by  prudence,  which 
seeks  lawful  advantages  by  right  and  appropriate 
means  ;  by  contentment,  which  acquiesces  in  a  mod- 
erate portion  of  good,  is  reasonable  in  wishes,  and 
keeps  at  a  distance  from  selfish  repining,  though  not 
without  keen  sensibility  and  a  constitutional  predis- 
position to  anxiety ;  by  fortitude,  a  spirit  collected 
and  resolute  in  difficulties  and  dangers,  and  evincing 
always  an  entire  superiority  to  fear;  by  patience, 
bearing  trials  with  an  equal  mind,  and  especially 
showing  exemplary  composure  in  bodily  sufferings  ; 
and  by  modesty,  refusing  to  make  pretensions,  and 
display  superiority,  whilst  estimating  highly  the 
value  of  opinion — paying  a  dehcate  respect  to  the  im- 
pressions of  other  minds,  and  pleased  with  the  favor- 
able judgment  of  his  fellow-men.  He  exhibited  the 
spirit  of  application  and  industry,  executing  season- 
ably and  thoroughly  what  he  undertook  ;  and  though 
less  willing  than  was  desired  to  assume  responsible 
employments,  he  was  far  removed  from  any  thing 
like  indolence.  He  manifested  a  wise  and  careful 
self-government,  disdaining  the  bondage  of  sense; 
in  pleasures,  regarding  the  boundaries  prescribed  by 
nature,  by  health  and  by  duty.  He  saw  the  value 
of  the  golden  mean  in  conduct,  and  cultivated  the 


128  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

moderation  which  prevents  virtue  from  degenerating 
into  vice  by  irregularity  and  excess,  and  which,  in 
relation  to  distinction  and  place,  rather  avoids  than 
courts  pre-eminence.' 

"Mr.  Cabot's  religious  views,  principles  and  feel- 
ings, were  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  whole  of  his 
character.  A  deep  sense  of  his  relation  to  God,  was 
the  foundation  of  his  virtue.  A  firm  belief  in  the 
divine  authority  of  the  christian  revelation,  was  the 
result  of  a  full  and  candid  examination  of  its  evi- 
dences ;  and,  though  he  punctually  attended  on  all 
its  ordinances,  and  was  never  backward  to  profess 
and  maintain  his  convictions  of  its  truth  and  excel- 
lence, his  Christianity  was  yet  more  in  his  heart 
than  it  was  on  his  lips,  and  was  to  be  seen  in  the 
conduct  of  every  hour,  and  in  all  his  usual  occupa- 
tions, as  conspicuously  as  on  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  and  in  the  temple  of  God.  There  was  neither 
cant  nor  levity  in  his  conversation,  superstition  in 
his  thoughts,  uncharitableness  in  his  feelings,  nor 
censoriousness  in  his  judgments.  His  opinions  were 
not  to  be  shaken  by  the  usual  arguments  or  cavils, 
for  they  were  formed  by  impartial  and  mature  invesr 
tigation  ;  and  he  was  as  well  versed  in  theology  as 
most  who  teach  it.  The  faith  which  he  had  delib- 
erately adopted  in  the  strength  of  his  days,  remained 
to  comfort  his  age,  to  cheer  him  in  illness,  and  sup- 
port him  in  the  hour  of  death." 

Andrew  Cabot  was  born  in  Salem,  Dec.  16,  1750; 
and,  with  his  brother,  entered  largely  into  commer- 
cial pursuits,  from  which  he  early  retired,  after  ac- 
quiring a  handsome  fortune.  In  1779,  he  chartered 
to  the  provincial  government  the  ship  Defiance,  of  16 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  129 

guns,  valued  at  £100,000,  paper  money,  for  an  expe- 
dition to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  Penobscot,  in 
which  she  was  lost.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  Cam- 
bridge, of  Lieut.  Governor  Thomas  Oliver,  and  also 
an  estate  of  Col.  Lechmere,  known  as  "  Lechmere 
Point."  He  was  of  lively  temperament,  was  much 
esteemed  for  his  social  qualities^  and  died  after  a 
short  illness,  May,  1791,  in  the  41st  year  of  his  age. 

John  Cabot  was  a  representative  from  this  town  in 
the  General  Court  in  1792,  and  in  1796  was  nomi- 
nated as  a  candidate  for  representative  to  Congress, 
but  declined.     He  afterwards  removed  to  Salem. 

MosES  Brown  was  a  descendant,  in  the  fifth  gen- 
eration, from  Abraham  Brown,  who,  in  1632,  settled 
at  Watertown.  He  was  born  at  Waltham,  in  April, 
1748,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1768, 
and  commenced  business  as  a  merchant  in  Beverly 
in  1772.  Espousing  the  cause  of  American  inde- 
pendence with  great  zeal,  he  raised  a  company  of 
men  in  1775,  and  in  January,  1776,  joined  the  line 
of  the  American  army,  as  a  captain  in  Glover's  reg- 
iment :  served  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and 
was  at  the  battle  of  Trenton.  His  corps  being  dis- 
banded, in  1777  he  returned  to  Beverly,  resumed 
business  in  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  Is- 
rael Thorndike,  and  continued  in  active  and  success- 
ful pursuit  of  it  until  the  year  1800,  when  he  retired 
with  an  ample  fortune.  He  always  took  an  impor- 
tant part  in  public  enterprizes.  He  was  one  of  the 
largest  original  proprietors  of  Essex  bridge,  connect- 
ing Salem  and  Beverly,  and  of  the  Salem  and  Bos- 
ton turnpike,  and  had  a  leading  agency  in  the  con- 


130  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

struction  of  these, — which,  as  great  undertakings, 
and  as  affording  faciUties  for  communieation,  were 
for  a  long  time  not  less  thought  of  than  the  recently- 
opened  railroad  between  the  same  places  now  is. 
He  was  a  federalist  of  the  Washington  school,  and 
in  1808  one  of  the  presidential  electors.  He  united 
integrity  with  benevolence,  was  exemplary  in  all 
social  and  domestic  relations,  and  a  generous  con- 
tributor to  public  and  private  charities  and  associa- 
tions. He  died  in  June,  1820,  and  '•  to  afford  some 
farther  aid  to  the  theological  institution  at  Cam- 
bridge, the  government  of  which  is  connected  with 
Harvard  University,  he  bequeathed  to  that  important 
institution  two  thousand  dollars,  in  the  six  per  cent, 
stock  of  the  United  States,  to  be  applied  in  any  way 
the  government  shall  determine  will  best  promote 
the  cause  of  Christianity,  and  the  design  and  utility 
of  this  religious  establishment."  ^ 

Israel  Thorndike,  one  of  the  most  eminent  and 
successful  merchants  in  New  England,  was  born  in 
Beverly,  in  the  year  1755.  He  had  in  youth  no 
advantages  of  education,  except  those  which  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town  afforded ;  but  he 
possessed,  in  the  vigor  of  his  own  mind,  a  never- 
failing  spring  of  self-advancement.  The  war  of  the 
American  revolution  was  an  event  adapted  to  call 
into  activity  his  powers  and  spirit  of  enterprize. 
Embracing  with  zeal  the  cause  of  his  country,  he 
became  part  owner  and  captain  of  an  armed  ship ; 
and  the  judgment  with  which  he  planned  his  cruises, 

*  See  "  Sermons  by  the  late  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot,  D.  D.,  of  Beverly, 
Mass.,"  pp.  154-165;  also,  "History  of  Harvard  University,  by  Jo- 
siah  Quincy,"  vol.  2,  pp.  414-415, 


HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY.  131 

and  the  intrepidity  and  diligence  with  which  he  con- 
ducted them,  were  rewarded  with  distinguished  suc- 
cess. Having  entered  into  partnership  with  his 
brother-in-law,  the  late  Moses  Brown,  he  engaged, 
after  the  peace  of  1783,  in  an  extensive  and  most 
profitable  commerce  with  the  East  Indies  and  China. 
Sagacity,  judgment,  industry,  strict  attention  to  busi- 
ness, and  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  details  of 
every  commercial  enterprize  in  which  he  engaged, 
were  the  chief  causes  of  his  success.  He  was  also 
an  early  patron  of  manufactures;  and  invested,  it 
was  said,  a  greater  amount  of  capital  in  them  than 
any  other  individual  in  New  England.  By  his  vari- 
ous pursuits  he  accumulated  an  immense  property — 
amounting,  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  to  nearly  a 
million  and  a  half  of  dollars.  In  1810,  he  removed 
his  business  to  Boston,  in  consideration  of  the  greater 
advantages  for  prosecuting  it  in  that  central  empo- 
rium. He  still  retained  a  residence  in  his  native 
place,  passing  a  considerable  portion  of  his  time 
there,  and  ever  manifesting  a  warm  interest  in  its 
welfare.  He  was  eminently  social  in  his  feelings ; 
and  none  more  than  he  delighted  in  dispensing  a 
princely  hospitality.  In  a  tribute  to  his  memory, 
published  soon  after  his  death,  it  is  justly  remarked, 
that  "  few  individuals,  endowed  with  such  mental 
powers,  appear  in  a  generation.''  His  fellow-citi- 
zens showed  themselves  ready  to  acknowledge  his 
superior  talents  by  repeatedly  calling  him  to  public 
office.  At  different  periods  of  his  life,  he  was  a 
member  of  the  convention  called  for  the  adoption  of 
the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  a  repre- 
sentative and  senator  in  the  legislature  of  Massa- 
chusetts.    He  was  a  generous  contributor  to  patriotic, 


132  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

charitable  and  religious  objects,  and  often  gave  an 
active  agency  in  their  support.  In  1806,  he  sub- 
scribed five  hundred  dollars  for  the  foundation  of  the 
Natural  History  professorship  in  Harvard  Univer- 
sity; and  also  the  same  amount  in  1818,  for  the 
hbrary  of  the  theological  school.  In  the  same  year, 
being  informed  that  the  library  of  Professor  Ebeling, 
of  Hamburgh,  was  for  sale,  and  that  an  agent  oT  the 
King  of  Prussia  was  negotiating  for  it,  Mr.  Thorn- 
dike  ordered  it  to  be  purchased,  at  the  cost  of  six 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  and  presented  it  to 
the  University  ;  thereby  securing  to  his  country  one 
of  the  most  complete  and  valuable  collections  of 
works  extant  on  American  history.  'J'he  first  parish 
of  Beverly  has  a  remembrance  of  his  liberal  regard, 
in  an  addition  to  its  funds  of  about  $2600,  received 
from  the  sale  of  an  estate  presented  to  it,  agreeably 
to  his  expressed  intentions  and  wishes,  by  his  sons, 
to  whom  it  is  also  indebted  for  the  gift,  at  the  same 
time,  of  an  elegant  chandelier  for  its  vestry. 

Mr.  Thorndike  closed  his  long  career  of  eminence 
and  usefulness  in  May,  1832  ;  retaining,  to  the  last, 
great  energy  and  activity,  and  expiring  calmly, 
though  suddenly,  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  and  in 
the  midst  of  devoted  friends.^ 

Joseph  Lee  was  born  in  Salem  in  May,  1744.  His 
ancestors  came  from  England,  and  were  settled  in  Bos- 
ton early  in  the  18th  century,  where  they  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  he  adopt- 
ed a  sea-faring  life,  and  afterwards  succeeded  to  the 

*  See  Quincy's  History  of  Harvard  University,  vol.  2,  pp.  411- 
414,  596. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  133 

command  of  a  vessel  in  the  European  and  West 
India  trade.  At  a  subsequent  period  he  became  a 
merchant  and  ship-owner,  and  for  many  years  was 
partner  with  George  Cabot  in  the  trade  to  Spain,  the 
West  Indies  and  Baltic.  During  his  residence  in 
Beverly,  he  was  engaged  largely  in  underwriting 
privately  on  the  shipping  of  this  town,  Salem  and 
Marblehead,  and  was  also  a  director  in  an  insurance 
office  in  Salem. 

Mr.  Lee  took  no  prominent  part  in  the  political 
affairs  of  the  times ;  and  though  he  held  no  office  in 
town,  he  took  an  active  interest  in  promoting  its 
various  municipal  concerns.  He  had  a  turn  for  me- 
chanics, especially  naval  architecture,  and  was  con- 
stantly employed  in  devising  improvements  in  ship- 
building. His  models  for  ships  were  adopted  by 
many  of  the  mechanics  and  merchants  of  Essex  and 
Boston,  and  led  the  way  in  great  degree  to  the  great 
improvement  of  construction  by  which  superior  sail- 
ing is  combined  with  an  increased  carrying  capacity. 
The  brig  Caravan,  built  in  Salem  in  1801,  by  Briggs, 
a  celebrated  builder,  and  owned  by  his  sons,  was 
constructed  on  a  model  furnished  by  him,  and  was 
considered  to  be,  in  point  of  sailing  and  carrying,  in 
advance  of  any  vessel  of  her  time. 

Mr.  Lee  sought  no  other  emolument  for  his  im- 
provements than  the  satisfaction  arising  from  a  con- 
sciousness of  having  contributed  to  the  advancement 
of  the  naval  art.  He  was  always  ready  to  furnish  infor- 
mation and  models  to  all  who  consulted  him,  and  to 
give  his  personal  attendance  in  a  supervision  of  ship- 
building when  within  his  neighborhood.  He  took  an 
active  part  in  procuring  the  erection  of  Essex  bridge, 
of  which  he  was  one  of  the  largest  proprietors,  Fpr 
12 


134  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

several  years  he  gave  his  time  gratuitously  to  the  care 
and  superintendence  of  the  bridge,  and  on  his  removal 
to  Boston,  received  the  thanks  of  the  directors  and  a 
piece  of  plate  as  a  recognition  of  their  estimate  of  his 
services. 

Some  years  previous  to  his  removal  to  -Boston, 
which  occurred  in  1807,  that  he  might  be  near  his 
children,  who  were  settled  there,  Mr.  Lee  had  retired 
from  the  active  pursuits  of  commerce.  In  the  me- 
tropolis he  was  elected  a  director  of  an  insurance 
company,  in  which  office  he  continued  until  from 
advanced  years  he  voluntarily  retired.  He  died  in 
1831,  at  the  age  of  87.  The  industry  of  Mr.  Lee 
was  crowned  with  success,  and  his  fortune,  though 
not  so  considerable  as  acquired  by  some  who  contin- 
ued in  business  after  he  retired,  was  adequate  to  the 
wants  of  a  numerous  family  and  the  promptings  of 
a  benevolent  disposition.  He  contributed  freely  to 
the  support  of  literary  and  charitable  institutions, 
and  within  a  year  of  his  death  made  a  donation  of 
$20,000  to  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital.  Mr. 
Lee  was  a  man  of  modest  pretensions,  and  passed 
through  life  without  an  enemy,  and  without  a  stain 
upon  his  character.  For  the  progress  of  his  race  he 
had  a  quick  and  abiding  sympathy,  and  to  the  cause 
of  civilization  he  contributed  a  full  share.  To  the 
close  of  his  life  he  retained  a  strong  attachment  to 
the  people  of  Beverly,  among  whom  he  spent  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  his  days,  and  where  he  is  now 
remembered  as  an  honorable  merchant,  and  an  exem- 
plary, useful  citizen. 

John  Stephens  was  born  in  this  town  Oct.  7,  1763. 
He   was  grandson  of  John  Stephens,  the  friend  of 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY,  135 

Robert  Briscoe,  and  son  of  Thomas  Stephens,  who 
died  in  June,  1795,  aged  58.  Mr.  Stephens  was  dis- 
tinguished for  cheerfuhiess,  energy  in  business,  and 
patriotism.  He  took  an  active  part  in  town  affairs, 
and  shared  largely  in  the  confidence  of  his  fellow- 
citizens,  by  whom  he  was  several  times  chosen  their 
representative  in  the  General  Court.  He  died  of 
fever  after  a  short  illness,  universally  lamented,  Oct. 
28,  1801,  aged  38. 

Thomas  Stephens  was  born  May  9,  1769,  and  early 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  with  his  brother  John. 
He  held  the  ofTice  of  town-treasurer,  and  was  often 
consulted  on  important  town  affairs.  He  was  four 
times  elected  representative  to  the  General  Court,  and 
afterwards  held  a  seat  for  several  years  at  the  senate- 
board.  Firm  in  the  principles  upon  which  he  acted, 
social  in  his  manners  and  exemplary  in  his  life,  he 
was  greatly  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  died 
on  the  same  day,  and  nearly  at  the  same  hour,  with 
his  friend  Rev.  Dr.  Abbot,  June  7,  1828,  aged  59. 


THE    BAR. 


Under  this  head  are  placed  the  names  of  Hon. 
Nathan  Dane^  and  Hon.  William  Thorndike. 

Mr.  Dane  was  born  in  Ipswich,  Mass.,  Dec.  29, 
1752.     He  was  descended  from  one  of  three  brothers 

*  This  notice  of  Mr.  Dane,  from  the  pen  of  Rev.  C.  T.  Thayer, 
was  originally  published  in  the  American  Jurist  and  Law  Magazine 
for  July,  1835,  and  has  been  kindly  furnished  with  some  additions, 
by  the  author,  for  republication  here. 


136  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

of  that  name,  who  early  came  over  from  England 
and  settled  in  Gloucester,  Andover  and  Ipswich.  His 
father  was  a  farmer  of  that  worthy  and  substantial 
class,  from  which  have  sprung  so  many  of  the  dis- 
tinguished men  of  our  country.  His  parents  are 
both  of  them  represented  to  have  been  respectable 
and  excellent  persons,  and  he  always  spoke  of  them 
with  veneration  and  affection.  They  had  a  numer- 
ous family — six  sons  and  six  daughters, — of  whom 
only  two  daughters  now  survive ;  and  one  of  these, 
Mrs.Appleton,  residing  in  Beverly,  is  in  her  102d  year. 
Mr.  Dane  labored  on  his  father's  farm  till  after  he 
was  twenty-one.  To  this  circumstance  he  often 
referred  as  having  contributed  essentially  to  that 
physical  vigor  and  power  of  long-continued  applica- 
tion to  study,  for  which  he  was  afterward  so  remark- 
able. It  was  not- till  after  he  was  of  age,  that  he 
enjoyed  more  than  the  advantages  of  a  common- 
school  education,  which,  at  that  time,  were  very 
small ;  though  he  was  then  in  the  habit  of  devoting 
most  of  the  leisure  he  could  command  to  reading, 
and  his  favorite  study,  mathematics.  Soon  after  he 
became  of  age,  he  resolved  to  prepare  himself  for 
college.  This  he  did  in  the  short  space  of  eight 
months.  He  entered  Harvard  University  in  1774, 
and  graduated,  with  high  reputation  for  industry 
and  scholarship,  in  1778.  After  leaving  college  he 
went  to  Beverly,  where  he  taught  a  school,  at  the 
same  time  pursuing  the  study  of  law  under  the  late 
Judge  Wetmore,  of  Salem.  His  surviving  pupils 
speak  of  him  with  affectionate  respect,  as  having 
been  a  devoted  and  successful  instructor.  In  1782, 
he  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  Beverly,  and 
came  almost  at  once  into  extensive  and  profitable 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  137 

business.  He  was,  however,  no  fomenter  of  litiga- 
tion, but  was  conscientious  in  endeavoring  to  check 
it  whenever  justice  or  expediency  admonished  him 
so  to  do,  and  the  effect  of  his  character  in  this  res- 
pect has  long  been  visible  in  the  place  where,  through 
his  whole  professional  life,  he  resided.  When  clients 
came  to  him  under  highly  excited  feelings,  he  used 
frequently  to  put  by  attending  to  their  cause  till  the 
next  morning — to  give  them,  as  he  said,  opportunity 
to  sleep  upon  it. 

Though  the  practice  of  his  profession,  till  within 
about  twenty  years  past,  when  by  growing  deafness 
he  was  induced  gradually,  and  at  1-ength  wholly  to 
retire  from  it,  continued  his  chief  object,  he  yet  found 
time  to  fill,  with  honor  to  himself  and  advantage  to 
the  community,  various  important  public  stations. 
In  1782,  and  the  three  following  years,  he  was  a 
representative  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts. 
In  1785,  '86  and  '87,  he  was  a  delegate  to  Congress.  In 
1790,  '94,'96,  '97  and  '98,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Senate.  He  was  appointed  on  a  commit- 
tee to  revise  the  laws  of  the  State  in  1795,  and  again 
to  a  similar  duly  in  1811  and  '12.  In  1794,  he  was 
appointed  a  judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  for 
Essex  county,  but  very  soon  after  taking  the  oaths  of 
office,  resigned.  He  was  an  elector  of  President  of 
the  United  States  in  1812,  a  member  of  the  Hartford 
convention  in  1814,  and  chosen  in  1820  member  of 
the  convention  for  revising  the  State  constitution, 
but  on  account  of  deafness  did  not  take  his  seat.  In 
these  and  various  other  civil  offices,  his  services  were 
eminently  efficient  and  valuable.  "  While  in  the 
Senate  of  Massachusetts,  he  is  said  to  have  been  dis- 
tinguished by  his  ability  in  debate,  knowledge  of 
12=^ 


138  HISTORY   OF   BEVERLY. 

public  business  and  capacity  for  discharging  it,  and 
the  uprightness  and  directness  of  his  views.  The 
journals  of  the  old  Congress,  in  which  he  continued 
till  the  adoption  of  the  present  constitution  of  the 
United  States,  show  that  he  was  appointed  on  nearly 
every  committee  of  any  importance.  It  was  in  this 
assembly  that  he  reported  the  celebrated  ordinance 
for  the  government  of  the  territory  of  the  United 
States  north-west  of  the  river  Ohio."  ''  We  are  ac- 
customed," said  Mr.  Webster,  in  the  U.  S.  Senate  dur- 
ing the  debate  on  Foot's  resolution  in  1830,  ''  to  praise 
the  lawgivers  of  antiquity;  we  help  to  perpetuate 
the  fame  of  Solon  and  Lycurgus ;  but  I  doubt  whether 
one  single  law  of  any  lawgiver,  ancient  or  modern, 
has  produced  effects  of  a  more  distinct  and  marked 
and  lasting  character  than  the  ordinance  of  '87. 
That  instrument  was  drawn  by  Nathan  Dane,  then 
and  now  a  citizen  of  Massachusetts.  It  was  adopted, 
as  I  think  I  have  understood,  without  the  slightest 
alteration ;  and  certainly  it  has  happened  to  few 
men,  to  be  the  authors  of  a  political  measure  of  more 
large  and  enduring  consequence.  It  fixed,  forever, 
the  character  of  the  population  in  the  vast  regions 
northwest  of  the  Ohio,  by  excluding  from  them  invol- 
untary servitude.  It  impressed  on  the  soil  itself,  while 
it  was  yet  a  wilderness,  an  incapacity  to  bear  up  any 
other  than  freemen.  It  laid  the  interdict  against  per- 
sonal servitude,  in  original  compact,  not  only  deeper 
than  all  local  law,  but  deeper,  also,  than  all  local  con- 
stitutions. Under  the  circumstances  then  existing,  I 
look  upon  this  original  and  seasonable  provision  as  a 
real  good  attained.  We  see  its  consequences  at  this  mo- 
ment, and  we  shall  never  cease  to  see  them,  perhaps, 
while  the  Ohio  shall  flow."    To  have  been  the  drafter 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  139 

of  the  ordinance  of  1787  alone,  it  has  therefore,  not 
without  justice  been  said,  is  glory  enough  for  any 
man. 

Mr.  Dane,  besides,  took  an  active  interest  in  many 
objects  of  general  improvement  and  benevolence. 
His  liberal  donation  of  $15,000,  (which  he  bestowed 
in  his  hfetime,  and  the  first  rich  fruits  of  which  he 
lived  to  see  and  enjoy),  to  the  Law  College  of  Har- 
vard. University,  is  well  known.  It  resulted  imme- 
diately in  the  establishment  of  the  Dane  Professor- 
ship of  Law,  which  has  since  been  "  adorned  by  the 
learning  and  talents  of  Mr.  Justice  Story,  and  from 
which  he  has  sent  forth  those  immortal  works  that 
have  excited  the  admiration  of  the  jurists  of  Europe, 
and  first  called  their  attention  to  the  jurisprudence 
of  our  country."  Mr.  Dane  was  a  member  and  sup- 
porter of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society,  the 
Massachusetts  and  Essex  Historical  Societies,  and 
the  American  Antiquarian  Society.  To  the  Indiana 
and  Michigan  Historical  Societies,  of  which,  in 
gratitude  for  his  being  the  author  of  the  ordinance 
which  constitutes  the  fundamental  law  of  those 
states,  he  was  elected  an  honorary  member ;  and 
to  the  Dane  Law  Library  of  Ohio,  for  the  same  rea- 
son bearing  his  name,  he  was  a  donor.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  founders  of  the.  Massachusetts  Tem- 
perance Society,  (the  first  established  society  of  the 
kind,)  was  for  several  years  president,  and  contri- 
buted to  its  funds.  Not  only  did  he  lend  his  aid  to 
these  general  objects,  but  he  interested  himself  in 
those  which  were  on  a  smaller  scale,  and  near 
home.  For  instance,  during  the  distresses  conse- 
quent on  the  embargo  of  the  last  war,  he  devised  a  plan 
for  a  society  to  relieve  the  poor  of  his  own  town,  by 


140  HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY. 

furnishing  them  work,  which  was  formed  and 
proved  beneficial  in  its  operation,  and  to  which  he 
was  himself  a  liberal  contributor  in  money  and  per- 
sonal services. 

While  he  was  thus  engaged  in  public  labors,  he 
found  time  for  much  private  study,  as  the  results  of 
his  retired  exertions  abundantly  show.  His  great 
work,  "  A  General  Abridgement  and  Digest  of  Amer- 
ican Law,  with  occasional  notes  and  comments,"  in 
nine  volumes,  has  long  been  before  the  world.  It 
was  published  in  1823  and  1829,  and  is  regarded 
a  monument  of  immense  industry  and  learning. 
While  that  was  in  progress,  he  was  also  employed 
on  another  work,  of  nearly  equal  extent,  entitled  a 
Moral  and  Political  Survey  of  America,  which  he 
left  complete  in  manuscript.  The  objects  of  this 
survey,  as  stated  by  himself,  are  "  First,  to  bring 
into  view  the  moral  and  political  principles  of  the 
various  parts  of  America,  from  its  discovery  by  Co- 
lumbus in  1492,  to  the  establishment  of  the  federal 
constitution  in  1790 ;  tracing  those  of  civilized 
America  to  their  true  sources  in  the  old  world ; 
making  federal  America  the  principal  object :  Sec- 
ondly, to  form  a  just  idea  of  the  moral  and  political 
condition  and  character  of  men  here,  in  the  same 
period  :  Thirdly,  useful  reflections  on  proper  occa- 
sions, especially  in  regard  to  that  character  and 
those  principles  of  law  and  liberty,  on  which  has 
arisen  a  great  and  enlightened  nation  in  United 
America — principles  most  essential  to  the  preserva- 
tion of  its  present  condition  :  Fourthly,  to  do  a  little 
towards  preserving  in  our  country,  a  manly,  moral 
character,  '  a  moral  regulated  liberty,'  where  this 
character  and  this  wise  union  of  law  and  liberty, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  141 

are  so  very  important,  and  where  a  vicious  charac- 
ter and  licentious  liberty  would  soon  destroy  self- 
government."  The  following  extract  from  the  pre- 
face is  subjoined,  both  as  relating  to  the  work  itself, 
and  as  possessing  the  interest  of  an  autobiographical 
sketch.  "Taking  into  view  the  author's  other  la- 
bors, public  and  private,  especially  his  other  vol- 
uminous writings  in  print  and  manuscript,  some  may 
doubt  if  he  has  had  sufficient  time  properly  to  form 
and  revise  this  work,  by  no  means  a  small  one.  If 
any  such  doubts  do  or  shall  exist,  a  mere  sketch  of 
his  long  life,  method,  and  course  of  study,  will,  it  is 
believed,  at  once  remove  them,  and  show  how  much 
common  talents,  in  sixty  years  and  more  of  studies, 
accompanied  by  unceasing  industry  and  exertions, 
may  accomplish.  So  far  as  there  may  be  any  merit 
in  the  author's  writings,  professional  labors,  and 
public  services,  state  and  federal,  it  is  to  be  at- 
tributed entirely  to  his  industry,  method,  and  course 
of  studies.  As  much  extended  as  are  his  writings, 
facts  that  may  be  briefly  stated  will  show,  there  has 
been  no  need  of  haste  or  want  of  time.  By  several 
years'  labor  on  a  farm,  a  constitution  good  in  itself 
was  much  strengthened  and  confirmed.  In  the  same 
years,  by  mathematical  studies,  his  mind  acquired 
the  habits  of  close  thinking  and  patient  investigation. 
His  firm  constitution,  and  unwearied  habits  in 
thinking,  and  persevering  industry,  enabled  him  in 
eight  months  to  prepare  for  admission  into  Harvard 
College,  on  examination  in  the  usual  manner,  in  the 
year  1774.  The  same  firm  constitution,  patient 
habits,  and  untiring  mind,  have  enabled  him  since 
to  study  and  write  at  least  twelve  hours  a  day. 
Neither  the  care  of  children,  nor  the  cares  or  want 


142  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

of  property,  have  interfered  with  his  studies.  In 
May,  1782,  he  began  to  collect  materials  for  this, 
and  his  law  work.  Since  leaving  college,  in  1778, 
he  has  confined  his  studies  and  writings  principally 
to  the  subjects  of  law  and  politics,  history  and  biog- 
raphy, morals  and  religion.  He  has  always,  since 
he  commenced  these  studies,  used  common-place 
books,  some  of  which  are  preserved ;  and  has  ever 
made  his  public  and  professional  business,  and  his 
writings,  go  hand  in  hand  and  afford  aid  one  to  the 
other.  Are  not  sixty  years  of  such  studies  nearly 
equal  to  the  studies  of  three  common  lives,  in  time. 
and  industry  ?  It  is  here  proper  to  state  that,  in 
1782,  when  the  author,  in  fact,  commenced  this  and 
his  law  works,  there  were  only  fragments  in  the 
country  on  either  subject,  and  he  came  to  the  reso- 
lution to  make  his  collection  of  materials  on  both 
subjects  as  extensive  as  possible,  so  as  to  produce 
something  like  a  whole  on  each.  Could  he.  now  be 
carried  back  to  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  and  find  the 
copious  writings  now  existing  on  each  subject  by 
others,  proba^bly  he  would  not  think  of  engaging  in 
either  case.  Though  no  other  person  has  ever  pro- 
duced a  general  code,  or  abridgement  of  American 
law,  or  a  general  survey  of  all  parts  of  America  any 
way  like  this,  yet  the  writings  of  others  on  these 
topics  are  now  copious  and  very  valuable.  But  be- 
ing the  writings  of  numerous  distinct  and  scattered 
authors,  they  are  in  numerous  distinct  and  scattered 
parts.  Of  near  thirty  histories,  by  as  many  authors, 
each  one  is  only  the  history  of  a  single  state.  It 
will  be  found  on  inquiry,  that  near  half  of  the  chap- 
ters in  this  work  are  peculiar  to  it,  but  a  small  part 
of  which  is  to  be  found  in  any  other  writings  pub- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  143 

lished ;  and  where  the  information  given  can  be 
found  elsewhere,  it  is  generally  in  a  scattered  state, 
and  not  embodied,  as  in  this  work.  Indeed,  no  one 
has  ever  attempted  to  embody  in  a  general  work, 
the  morals  and  politics  of  all  parts  of  America,  for 
three  centuries  and  more,  including  statistics  largely, 
and  religion  as  far  as  it  is  a  part  of  the  constitutions 
and  laws.  In  fact,  no  work  of  this  kind  has  any 
other  author  attempted  of  any  part  of  America." 

The  "Survey"  evinces  unquestionably  great  re- 
search, and  comprehends  a  vast  amount  of  informa- 
tion. But  it  is  marked  with  the  same  neglect  of 
style,  which  is  so  obvious  in  Mr.  Dane's  other  writ- 
ings. His  object,  when  composing,  always  seemed 
to  be  to  pursue  the  thought  before  him,  and  simply 
to  make  his  views  intelligible  to  others.  He  had  no 
graces  of  style,  either  native  or  borrowed ;  neither 
did  he  ever  seek  for  any.  To  instruct  and  con- 
vince— not  to  fascinate  and  delight — was  his  aim. 
For  truth — to  acquire  and  communicate  it — did  he 
chiefly  concern  himself;  for  its  dress  he  cared  little 
or  nothing. 

In  all  he  did,  indeed,  in  his  habits  and  manners 
generally,  he  was  rigidly  simple.  He  Avent  straight 
forward  to  whatever  object  he  had  in  view,  without 
any  parade  either  in  the  preparation  or  execution. 
When  he  spoke,  whether  in  town  meeting  or  in  more 
public  bodies,  his  eloquence  was  that  of  fact  and 
argument — perfectly  plain,  the  expression  of  strong 
conviction,  without  any  of  the  arts  of  oratory.  He 
was  uniformly  prompt,  punctual,  and  systematic. 
He  had  a  particular  time  and  a  particular  way  for 
doing  everything  he  undertook ;  and  no  person  could 
be  more  industrious  and  persevering  in  the  accom- 


144  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

plishment  of  what  had  once  been  undertaken.  His 
life  throughout  was  one  of  constant  and  wonderful 
diligence.  There  was,  too,  an  elevation  in  his  aims, 
which  betokened  no  common  man  :  and  possessing, 
as  he  did,  a  spirit  and  energy  in  executing,  propor- 
tional to  the  capacity  for  conceiving  them,  it  is  not 
strange  they  were  so  admirably  completed.  He  was, 
we  must  admit,  signally  favored  in  their  completion 
by  the  health  he  enjoyed,  having  never  before  his 
last  illness  been  confined  to  his  house  by  sickness 
more  than  two  days  at  a  time,  and  that  very  rarely. 
He  no  doubt,  did  much  to  preserve  his  health,  by 
regularity  and  temperance  in  diet,  and  by  exercising 
every  day  in  the  open  air.  He  took  regular  rather 
than  a  great  deal  of  exercise,  and  that  was  walking 
chiefly. 

The  qualities  of  his  intellect  were  altogether  of 
the  solid  kind.  By  his  cast  of  mind,  as  well  as  by 
habit,  he  was  inclined  to  the  severer  and  graver 
studies.  He  had  little  acquaintance  with  the  lighter 
branches  of  literature;  never  read  a  novel  before 
Scott  began  to  publish,  and  his  romances  he  read 
principally  for  their  historical  value ;  though  his 
reading  became  more  various  after  he  retired  from 
the  practice  of  law.  His  judgment  was  singularly 
discriminating  and  well-balanced.  Few  ever  lived 
who  were  less  biased  by  passion  or  prejudice.  He 
was  thus  formed,  on  most  contested  points,  to  pur- 
sue a  medium  course,  and  to  be  a  moderate  man  in 
any  party  with  which  he  might  be  connected.  For 
the  same  reason  was  he  likely,  more  than  most  oth- 
ers, to  be  correct  and  stable  in  his  opinions  on  all 
subjects. 

In  the  management  of  public  affairs,  he  was  cau- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  145 

tious,  firm,  sagacious,  and  able ;  and  in  conducting 
his  private  business,  he  exerted  corresponding  skill. 
It  may  be  mentioned  as  confirming  this  last  remark, 
that  though  he  was  long  in  the  practice  of  loaning 
money  to  many  different  individuals,  he  never,  in  this 
Avay,  incurred  pecuniary  loss. 

He  was  a  truly  upright  man.  To  a  female  friend 
who,  at  the  time  he  was  preparing  for  his  profession, 
rallied  him  with  saying,  "So,  you  mean  to  be  an 
honest  lawyer^^''  he  replied,  "  I  mean  to  be  an  honest 
man."  And  his  whole  subsequent  career  attested 
the  sincerity  and  strength  of  this  early  resolution. 

He  possessed  great  goodness  of  heart.  He  was 
blessed  with  singular  evenness  of  temperament,  and 
was  remarkably  free  from  the  indulgence  of  resent- 
ful or  vindictive  feelings.  Instances  might  be  named, 
of  his  returning  liberal  benefactions  for  ingratitude 
and  injury.  In  domestic  life,  he  was  ever  concilia- 
ting and  kind  to  those  with  whom  he  was  there  con- 
nected. To  the  excellent  partner  of  his  life,  to  whom 
he  was  united  for  fifty-five  years,  and  who  survived 
him,  he  was  a  devoted  husband.  Without  children  of 
his  own,  he  was  as  a  father  to  many.  Several  of  his 
relatives  he  assisted  to  a  liberal  education,  and  others 
he  aided  in  establishing  respectably  in  life.  If  a  pru- 
dent economy  reigned  in  his  family,  so  also  did  a 
ready  hospitality.  Though  his  mind  was  habitually 
braced  to  severe  thought  and  study,  he  was  not  with- 
out social  feeling.  Among  his  particular  friends,  he 
not  seldom  showed  a  high  relish  for  humor  and  light- 
er conversation ;  and  he  had  a  choice  fund,  with 
which  at  times  he  delighted  to  entertain  liiem,  of 
anecdote  and  reminiscences  respecting  the  sages  and 
worthies,  and  the  important  scenes  and  transactions 
13 


146  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

tvith  which,  in  his  long  and  eventful  life,  he  had 
been  connected.  As  an  instance  of  the  interesting 
recollections  which  would  thus  occasionally  drop 
from  him,  it  may  be  mentioned  that,  not  many 
months  before  his  decease,  he  stated,  in  conversation, 
that  it  was  not  till  the  celebrated  ordinance  of  '87 
was  on  the  eve  of  its  passage,  that  the  thought  oc- 
curred to  him  of  inserting  the  clause  by  which  sla- 
very was  forever  excluded  from  the  states  north  of 
the  Ohio ;  thus  presenting  the  striking  reflection,  that 
by  the  mere  after-thought,  as  it  were,  of  a  single  in- 
dividual, acting  fifty  years  or  little  more  ago,  and 
then  a  young  man  and  comparatively  unknown, 
such  mighty  consequences  should  result  to  the  mil- 
lions now  living,  and  the  many  more  millions  to  live, 
in  that  extensive  and  very  fertile  region. 

Mr.  Dane  was  not  a  person  of  naturally  quick  sen- 
sibilities. So  unvaryingly  did  his  impulses  obey  his 
judgment,  that  one  who  did  not  knov/  him  well 
might  sometimes  have  been  induced  to  doubt  their 
strength,  and  at  least  to  suppose  him  more  just  than 
generous.  But  that  he  had  strong  attachments,  not 
a  few  who  were  the  objects  of  them  will  attest.  That 
he  was  benevolent,  his  various  bestowments,  pub- 
lic and  private,  ampl}?"  prove.  For  all  objects  that 
seemed  to  him  good,  he  was  interested.  For  his 
country  he  certainly  had  a  sincere  love.  From  early 
life  to  almost  his  latest  moments,  he  watched  nar- 
rowly its  interests.  By  the  faithful  performance  of 
his  duties  as  a  legislator  and  statesman,  he  labored 
for  it ;  he  did  scarcely  less  by  his  writings.  When 
our  Umon  was  threatened  by  the  doctrines  of  nulli- 
fication, he  looked  with  intense  anxiety  to  the  issue, 
and  showed,  by  a  pamphlet  amounting  to  a  consid- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERL-S.  147 

erable  volume,  which  he  prepared  and  published  in 
his  eightieth  year,  that  he  was  then  as  wiUing  to  la- 
bor for  his  country's  good  as  he  had  been  in  his  me- 
ridian vigor.  And  even  when  confined  to  his  cham- 
ber and  bed,  and  up  to  the  day  of  his  death,  he  kept 
along  with  the  course  of  public  events,  making  fre- 
quent inquiries  respecting  them — inquiring  particu- 
larly, and  with  evident  solicitude,  concerning  the 
difficulties  with  France,  which  constituted,  at  that 
time,  the  most  engrossing  national  topic. 

He  was,  moreover,  a  religious  man  and  a  Chris- 
tian. He  believed  in  the  divine  origin  of  Christian- 
ity with  a  firm  conviction,  and  after  thorough  exam- 
ination of  its  evidences.  Few  laymen  have  spent  so 
much  time  in  the  study  of  theology.  During  more 
than  fifty  years,  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  passing 
his  sabbaths — excepting  the  hours  of  public  worship, 
which  he  attended  constantly — in  theological  pur- 
suits, which  would  make  (as  he  computed  it) 
between  seven  and  eight  years  given  expressly  to 
the  subject.  He  preserved  his  acquaintance  with 
Greek  to  the  last,  and  commonly  read  the  New  Tes- 
tament in  its  original  language.  Of  the  Hebrew  he 
also  had  some  knowledge,  and  sometimes  referred  to 
it  in  examining  the  Old  Testament.  He  was  well 
versed  in  biblical  criticism,  and  understood  well  most 
of  the  theological  controversies  of  the  day.  In  his 
unpubhshed  work,  he  has  treated  quite  at  large  the 
subject  of  religion,  so  far  as  it  is  connected  with  and 
recognized  in  our  constitutions  of  government.  But 
he  was  not  in  theory  only  a  Christian;  he  was  prac- 
tically devout  and  religious.  There  was  found  among 
his  papers  a  prayer,  which  he  composed  many  years 
since  for  his  own  use ;  and  which  would  be  found 


148  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

by  all  a  valuable  help  to  devotion.  He  was  consci- 
entious in  his  attendance  on  the  public  institutions  of 
religion,  and  to  its  ministers  he  proved  himself,  by 
his  attentions,  his  counsel,  and  his  substance,  pecu- 
liarly a  friend.  The  best  evidence,  however,  of  his 
being  at  heart  a  Christian,  was  his  life ;  that  child- 
like purity,  which  was  free  equally  from  the  contam- 
ination of  gross  or  polished  vice — that  perfect  sin- 
cerity, which  scorned  low  intrigue  and  every  form  of 
deceit — that  untiring  diligence,  with  which  he  im- 
proved his  talents,  and  consecrated  them  to  worthy, 
useful,  and  high  ends.  His  death  was  serene,  beau- 
tiful, and  happy.  Three  months  previously,  he  was 
seized  with  a  paralytic  affection.  The  shock  came 
upon  him  in  the  midst  of  perfect  health.  But  it  was 
received  without  alarm,  and  in  entire  submission  to 
the  divine  will.  From  that  time  his  strength  grad- 
ually decayed,  and  he  gently  sank  away  to  rest. 
He  retained  to  the  last  a  delightfully  composed  cheer- 
fulness. He  felt — and  no  one  could  more  truly  say — 
his  work  was  done.  Rarely  has  there  been  one  that 
had  proposed  to  himself  so  much,  who  lived  to  see 
his  objects  so  fully  accomplished.  And  if  then,  and 
even  before,  there  was,  as  he  reflected  on  his  exer- 
tions and  the  success  which  had  attended  them,  a 
complacency  bordering  on  weakness,  it  was  certainly 
a  pardonable  self-satisfaction.  His  reason  never,  for 
a  moment  during  his  illness,  forsook  him.  He  con- 
tinued, almost  to  the  closing  scene,  to  converse  with 
his  friends  on  such  subjects  of  a  general  nature  as 
had  usually  interested  him,  as  well  as  on  those  re- 
lating immediately  to  his  expected  departure.  Only 
a  few  hours  before  his  death,  he  gave  directions  re- 
specting his  burial,  and  with  the  same  collectedness 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  149 

took  leave  of  the  relatives  that  surrounded  his  dying 
bed.     He  died  Feb.  15,  1835. 

For  consistency  and  integrity,  a  well-spent  life 
and  a  peaceful  death,  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  his 
superior.  Such  a  life  and  such  a  death  are  the  best 
illustration  of  the  reality  and  the  value  of  virtue  and 
religion.  The  example  they  contain  may  justly  be 
held  forth  for  imitation,  not  merely  to  those  of  the 
same  profession,  but  to  all  young  men,  and  to  all  of 
whatever  age,  who  would  secure  the  most  desirable 
distinctions  for  themselves,  and  be  the  best  benefac- 
tors of  their  country  and  race. 

A  monument  is  erected  over  his  grave,  which  is  of 
pyramidal  form,  about  ten  feet  in  height,  and  com- 
posed of  beautiful  white  marble,  resting  on  a  block 
of  dressed  granite.  The  inscription,  written  by  Judge 
Story,  is  as  follows  : 

"  In  memory  of  the  Hon.  Nathan  Dane,  L.L.D.  A  revolution- 
ary statesman ;  an  eminent  jurist ;  the  author  of  an  Abrid^ent  and 
Digest  of  American  Law  ;  the  founder  of  the  Dane  Professorship 
of  Law  in  Harvard  University.  His  private  life  was  distinguished 
for  simplicity,  integrity  and  dignity ;  his  public  life  for  wisdom, 
fidelity,  and  patriotism.  He  lived  and  died  a  Christian.  He  was 
bom  on  the  27th  of  December,  1752.  He  died  on  the  15th  of 
February,  1835. 

"  His  fame  belongs  to  his  country.  Let  the  gratitude  of  future 
cherish  it" 


On  one  side  of  the  monument  is  the  following  in- 
scription, commemorative  of  his  amiable  and  much- 
lamented  wife. 


13=^ 


150  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

"  In  memory  of 

Polly,  wife  of  Nathan  Dane. 

Of  singular  purity,  benevolence  and  piety ; 

An  ornament  and  rich  blessing  to  her 

Family,  to  the  Church  and  to  society  ; 

And  having  through  a  long  life  been 

Faithful  in  all  its  relations, 

She  expired  in  Christian  faith  and  hope, 

April  14,  1840,  aged  90  years. 

Hon.  William  Thorndike  was  born  in  Beverly, 
Jan.  1795.  He  early  gave  indications  of  genius  and 
talents  of  a  high  order,  of  regard  to  the  principles  of 
morality,  and  of  reverence  for  religion.  His  father, 
Capt.  Nicolas  Thorndike,  for  most  of  the  early  part 
of  his  life,  was  employed  abroad;  and  he,  like  many 
other  great  and  good  men,  was  mostly  indebted  to 
the  tender  care  and  instruction  of  a  pious  mother, 
for  the  formation  of  a  character  of  virtue,  of  early 
piety,  of  kind  and  affectionate  dispositions.  This 
character,  thus  formed  in  childhood,  was  developed 
in  his  youth,  and  exemplified  in  manhood  in  all  the 
various  relations  in  which  he  was  called  to  act. 

He  was  fitted  for  college  under  Dr.  Benjamin 
Abbot,  at  Phillips  Academy,  in  Exeter,  and  entered 
Harvard  College  in  advanced  standing.  He  was  dis- 
tinguished by  close  attention  to  his  studies,  and  by 
exemplary  conduct,  and  graduated  with  distinction 
in  1813,  at  the  age  of  18.  On  leaving  college,  he 
studied  law  with  the  late  Hon.  Nathan  Dane.  In 
1816,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Essex  county, 
and  soon  commenced  the  practice  of  law,  at  Bath, 
Maine.  On  the  4th  July,  1816,  he  pronounced  an 
oration  .  in  Beverly,  at  a  celebration  of  American 
independence.     After  he  had  become  established  in 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  151 

the  business  of  his  profession,  at  Bath,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Nancy  Stephens,  daughter  of  John  Ste- 
phens, Esq.,  of  Beverly.  The  happiness  of  this  con- 
nexion, the  result  of  esteem,  friendship  and  love, 
formed  in  early  youth  and  commenced  with  the 
most  flattering  prospects,  was  blasted  by  death.  One 
short  year  separated  this  happy  couple,  and  left  the 
survivor  bereft  of  both  wife  and  her  infant  ofl^spring. 
This  event,  if  not  the  cause,  was  soon  followed  by 
feeble  health  and  depression  of  spirits,  which  occa- 
sioned the  abandonment  of  his  profession,  when  pros- 
perity and  advancement  were  on  the  point  of  crown- 
ing his  well-established  reputation,  as  an  advocate 
and  counsellor.  He  then  returned  to  the  circle  of 
his  friends  in  his  native  town,  and  there  engaged  in 
commercial  pursuits.  Here  his  worth  was  well 
known,  and  his  popularity  was  unrivalled.  He  was 
immediately  placed  in  those  public  offices  and  employ- 
ments, which — happily  for  New  England — ^are  gen- 
erally bestowed  on  talents  and  worth,  in  her  towns. 
Within  a  short  period,  he  became  a  director  of  all 
the  principal  monied  institutions  in  the  place,  and 
was  elected  to  the  offices  of  selectman,  overseer  of 
the  poor,  and  one  of  the  school  committee ;  in  which 
last  capacity,  he  devoted  much  time  and  labor  to  the 
improvement  of  the  schools.  He  rightly  appreciated 
the  importance  of  this  sphere,  in  which  there  is  room 
for  the  occupation  of  the  best  talents,  and  for  that 
persevering  exertion  which  finds  little  reward  other 
than  the  high  consciousness  of  performing  duties, 
the  future  consequences  of  which  will  be  experienced 
in  a  glorious  progress  of  society  in  knowledge  and 
virtue. 
In  1826  and  '27,  he  was  a  representative  from 


152  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Beverly,  in  the  General  Court.  His  retiring  disposi- 
tion prevented  his  taking  a  conspicuous  part  in  the 
debates  of  the  House,  or  in  its  business ;  but  his 
sound  judgment,  purity  of  motive,  and  general  intel- 
ligence, were  laying  the  foundation  for  more  exten- 
sive usefulness  in  the  other  branch  of  the  legislature. 
In  1828,  he  was  elected  a  senator  for  the  county  of 
Essex,  and  was  re-elected  in  '29,  '30,  '31,  and  '32. 
In  the  last  of  these  years  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  Senate.  As  a  member  of  that  body,  he  was  in- 
defatigable in  the  performance  of  those  labors  which 
fall  on  its  more  industrious  and  active  members,  with 
greater  weight,  from  the  smallness  of  their  number, 
compared  with  that  of  the  House,  and  from  the 
practice  of  investigating  subjects  of  legislation  by 
joint  committees  of  both  branches.  On  certain 
emergencies,  he  displayed  in  debate  a  spirit,  elo- 
quence, and  capacity,  equal  to  the  greatest  occa- 
sions. His  ease  of  manner  and  quickness  of  appre- 
hension were  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  duties  of  a 
presiding  officer.  While  president  of  the  Senate,  his 
wisdom,  impartiality,  decision  and  firmness,  secured 
the  confidence  of  all  concerned  in  its  transactions. 
In  the  spring  of  1832,  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  National  Insurance  Company,  and  afterward,  of 
the  Hamilton  Bank,  located  in  Boston.  These  offices 
came  to  him  unsolicited  and  were  accepted  with  re- 
luctance— particularly  at  leaving  his  friends  and  va- 
rious avocations  in  his  native  town  for  a  residence 
in  the  city ;  and  they  were  entered  on  with  the  un- 
derstanding, that  he  might  resign  them  at  the  expi- 
ration of  a  period,  the  larger  part  of  which  had 
passed  at  the  time  of  his  decease. 

In  his  relation  to  the  first  parish  and  church  in 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  153 

Beverly,  his  services  will  always  be  remembered 
with  gratitude.  For  several  years  he  superintended 
the  first  parish  sunday-school,  and  with  great  suc- 
cess. He  was  at  the  same  time  superintendent  of 
that  school,  and  president  of  the  Massachusetts  Sen- 
ate; and  the  spectacle  was  at  once  beautiful  and 
touching,  of  the  same  individual  admirably  dis- 
charging and  gracing  those  so  different  stations. 

His  chief  aim  in  conducting  the  sunday-school, 
was  to  make  it,  to  teachers  and  scholars  alike,  a 
scene  of  mutual  improvement  and  satisfaction.  Dis- 
carding the  principle  of  emulation,  which  had  previ- 
ously been  resorted  to  here — as  it  is  even  now  else- 
where— he  sought  (as  he  said  in  a  report  on  this  sub- 
ject,) "to  secure  the  attention  of  the  scholars  to  the 
duties  required  of  them,  by  engaging  their  affections, 
and  offering  as  a  reward  for  faithfulness,  not  the  rec- 
ord of  their  good  deeds,  or  the  tempting  allurements 
of  gifts,  but  the  smiles  of  a  kind  and  endeared  in- 
structer,  and  the  satisfaction  of  an  approving  con- 
science,— feeling  anxious  that  purer  motives  should 
stimulate  the  mind  and  swell  the  heart,  than  those 
which  proceed  from  the  promise  of  pecuniary  re- 
wards, or  the  display  of  acquisitions,  the  only  value 
of  which  is  in  their  secret  influence,  and  the  tone 
they  give  to  character  and  principle." 

He  was  eminently  a  religious  man.  His  faith  was 
enlightened  and  liberal,  as  well  as  earnest  and  firm. 
He  stood  on  the  great  principle  of  the  entire  inde- 
pendence of  the  mind  of  all  human  authority  in  the 
grand  concerns  of  religion.  His  sympathy  and  fel- 
lowship were  not  with  those  who  merely  interpreted 
scripture  as  he  did,  but  with  those  who,  believing 
in  divine  revelation  With  sincerity,  conformed  their 


154  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

hearts  and  lives  to  its  precepts,  as  understood  by  them. 
What  he  most  desired  for  himself,  and  delighted  most 
to  see  in  others,  was  unswerving  deference  to  moral 
and  religious  principle ;  and  it  was  the  possession 
of  this  which  imparted  a  crowning  lustre  to  the  sim- 
ple dignity,  the  genuine  independence,  the  amiable 
temper,  and  earnest  spirit,  which  marked  both  his 
public  and  private  life.  In  the  midst  of  all  this 
worth  and  usefulness,  having  acquired  a  prominence 
in  the  public  regards  rarely  attained  by  one  no  farther 
advanced  in  years,  and  when  deservedly  esteemed 
one  of  the  most  valuable  and  promising  characters, 
of  which  not  only  his  native  town  but  the  Common- 
wealth could  boast, — consumption,  that  widely  fatal 
disease,  before  which  so  large  a  portion  of  our  race 
falls — fastened  upon  him;  and  after  lingering  for 
some  months,  he  expired,  July  12th,  1835,  in  tha  41st 
year  of  his  age.  It  is  not  extravagant  eulogy  to  say 
of  him,  that  he  was  one  whom  all  might  wish  to 
resemble,  and  lament  to  lose.  Though  the  verdure 
of  seven  summers  has  come  and  faded  on  his  grave, 
there  are  memories  of  him,  deep  and  many,  in  the 
heart  of  this  community,  which  have  not  and  cannot 
fade.  His  manly  form,  his  features  beaming  intelli- 
gence and  sensibility,  his  benignant  smile,  his  unas- 
suming yet  engaging  manners,  and  above  all,  his 
talents  and  virtues,  the  good  he  did  and  the  greater 
good  he  would — had  he  lived — have  done,  altogether 
constitute  an  image  delightful  to  cherish,  and  that 
will  not  soon  pass  away. 


HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY.  155 


PHYSICIANS. 

The  practising  physicians,  resident  in  this  town 
since  1677,  so  far  as  ascertained,  are  Samuel  Hardie, 
Robert  Hale,  Robert  Hale,  Jr.,  John  Herrick,  Benja- 
min Jones,  Israel  Woodberry,  Isaac  Spofford,  Larkin 
Thorndike,  Joseph  Orne,  Nathan  Lakeman,  Barnard 
Tucker,  Elisha  Whitney,  Joshua  Fisher,  Abner 
Howe,  Josiah  Batchelder,  Ingalls  Kittredge,  Wyatt 
C.  Boyden,  Ingalls  Kittredge,  Jr.,  Augustus  Torrey, 
Joseph  Torrey,  and  Edward  Bradstreet.  The  six 
last-named  are  now  in  practice  here.  Of  Drs.  Har- 
die and  Robert  Hale,  Jr.,  mention  has  been  made 
elsewhere. 

Robert  Hale,  son  of  Rev.  John  Hale,  was  born 
November  3d,  1668.  He  received  his  education  at 
Harvard  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1686,  in 
the  18th  year  of  his  age,  and  in  1690  became  a  mem- 
ber of  his  father's  church.  His  attention  was  early 
turned  to  divinity,  the  study  of  which  he  pursued 
with  a  view  of  entering  the  ministry.  In  this  design 
he  received  encouragement  from  an  uncle  residing  in 
England,  who  left  him  a  legacy  in  1691.  During 
his  father's  absence  as  chaplain,  in  the  Canada  expe.- 
dition  of  1690,  he  supplied  the  pulpit ;  but  the  state 
of  his  health  compelling  him  to  relinquish  "  that  best 
of  employments,  "as  he  styles  the  clerical  profession, 
he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  in  which  he 
continued  until  his  decease  in  1719,  aged  51  years. 

In  1693,  Mr.  Hale  appears  to  have  suffered  much 
from  physical  debility.  In  a  letter  to  his  ^ther,  dated 
"  Preston,  22d,  11th,"  in  which  there  is  a  mingled 


156  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Strain  of  despondency  and  christian  resignation,  he 
says:  "I  find  myself  heir  to  my  mother's  distem- 
pers ;  would  to  God  I  might  of  her  graces."  At  his 
mother's  decease  he  came  in  possession  of  a  property 
in  Sarum,  England,  which  was  managed  for  him 
several  years  by  Bennett  Swayne,  Jr.,  of  London. 
In  1701,  he  succeeded  Dr.  Hardie  as  master  of  the 
grammar-school,  and  subsequently  was  a  selectman, 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  a  representative  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court."^  His  widow  was  married  in  1720  to 
Col.  John  Gilman,  of  Exeter,  N.  H.  The  latter  part 
of  her  life  was  spent  in  this  town,  in  which  she  died. 
Mr.  Hale  had  two  sons  and  a  daughter;  Robert, 
Henry,  and  Rebecca. 

Dr.  Herrick  was  a  practitioner  here  in  1721. 

Dr.  Jones  was  a  native  of  this  town.  He  had  an 
extensive  practice,  and  was  highly  respected.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  second  church,  is  frequently 
mentioned  in  the  parish  records,  and  appears  to  have 
taken  an  active  interest  in  its  affairs.  He  died  about 
1778.  His  first  wife  was  Ginger  Leach,  and  his 
second  Sarah  Endicott,  of  Dan  vers,  who  died  in 
1797,  aged  78. 

Dr.  Woodberry,  son  of  Samuel  Woodberry,  was 
born  in  Beverly,  March,  1734,  and  pursued  his  med- 
ical studies  with  Dr.  Putnam,  of  Dan  vers.     He  mar- 

*  Copies  of  several  letters,  written  by  Mr.  Hale  to  his  relatives  in 
England,  and  also  to  his  agents  in  London,  are  in  the  archives  of  the 
Antiquarian  Society,  at  Worcester.  They  contain  no  local  informa- 
tion, and  relate  chiefly  to  matters  in  which  the  public  would  not  feel 
interested. 


HItiTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  157 

ried  Lucy,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Herrick,  by  whom 
he  had  two  daughters,  Hannah  and  Lucy.  He  suc- 
ceeded Dr.  Jones  in  business,  and  practised  to  some 
extent  in  the  neighboring  towns.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  second  church,  and  his  Ufe  appears  to  have 
been  that  of  an  exemplary  Christian.  Shortly  be- 
fore his  decease,  which  occurred  in  1797,  at  the  age 
of  83,  he  remarked,  "^  If  I  were  to  Uve  my  hfe  over 
again,  I  could  not  serve  mankind  more  faithfully 
than  I  have  done." 

Dr.  Spofford  came  to  this  town  from  Rowley,  and 
married  for  his  second  wife  Ruth,  the  second  daugh- 
ter of  Col.  Larkin  Thorndike.  He  was  reputed  skil- 
ful in  his  profession,  and  was  also  much  devoted  to 
music.  He  died  June  14th,  1786,  aged  35.  His  re- 
mains lie  in  the  first  burying-ground.  His  grave- 
stone bears  masonic  emblems,  above  which  is  the 
following  inscription  :  "  Orphani  Viduae  Musse  Med- 
icinaque  Lugent."  Beneath  the  date  of  his  decease 
is  the  following  :  "  Candidus  insuetum  miratur  limen 
Olimpi  subpedibusque  videt  nubes  et  fideraDaphnis." 

Dr.  Thorndike,  son  of  Col.  Larkin  Thorndike,  was 
born  in  this  town,  and  graduated  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege in  1782.  During  the  difficulties  with  France, 
under  the  administration  of  the  elder  Adams,  he  en- 
tered the  navy  as  surgeon,  on  board  the  sloop  of  war 
Herald,  from  which  he  was  transferred  to  the  Con- 
gress frigate.     He  died  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  in  1798. 

Dr.  Lakeman  came  to  this  town  from  Hamilton, 
but  did  not  live  long  to  pursue  his  profession. 
14 


158  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Dr.  Tucker  was  born  in  Newbury,  of  which  town 
his  father  was  clergyman.  He  graduated  at  Cam- 
bridge in  1779,  and  practised  here  several  years.  He 
subsequently  removed  to  Wenham,  and  thence  to  his 
native  place.  He  possessed  a  kind  heart,  and  is  re- 
membered for  gentleness  of  disposition  and  simplicity 
of  manners.  He  was  a  proficient  in  the  French  and 
Spanish  languages,  and  was  much  employed  as  an 
instructer  in  the  former. 

Dr.  Orne  was  born  in  Salem,  in  1749.  In  his 
childhood  he  was  remarkable  for  the  precocity  of  his 
understanding.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years  he  en- 
tered Harvard  University,  where  he  received  the  de- 
gree of  A.  B.  in  1765.  He  began  his  medical  studies 
under  the  direction  of  Dr.  E.  A.  Holyoke,  In  1770, 
he  removed  to  Beverly  and  established  himself  in 
medical  practice,  with  a  fair  reputation  and  increas- 
ing fame.  In  1777,  he  returned  to  Salem,  under 
auspicious  circumstances,  where  he  continued  till  his 
death.  He  possessed  a  sound  and  discriminating 
judgment.  His  ardor  for  the  improvement  of  medi- 
cine, and  in  enriching  his  own  mind  with  scientific 
knowledge,  was  evinced  by  his  importing  from  Eu- 
rope the  most  recent  valuable  publications,  and  dedi- 
cating all  his  leisure  to  the  investigation  of  new  sub- 
jects. Dr.  O.  possessed  not  only  a  taste  for  poetry, 
painting,  and  the  belles  lettres,  but  also  for  natural 
philosophy;  and  had  his  short  sojourn  in  life  been 
protracted,  his  talents  would  probably  have  been  de- 
voted to  the  most  useful  purposes.  But  insatiate  con- 
sumption seized  him  as  its  victim,  and  terminated 
his  earthly  career  July  28,  1786,  in  the  37th  year  of 
his  age.     Several  of  his  papers  have  appeared  in  the 


HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY.  159 

Massachusetts  Medical  Communications.  He  was 
one  of  the  original  members  of  the  American  Acad- 
en}y  of  Science.^ 

Dr.  Elisha  Whitney  was  born  in  Watertown, 
March  11th,  1747,  old  style,  and  graduated  at  Har- 
vard College  in  1766.  He  pursued  his  medical  studies 
with  Dr.  Russell,  of  Groton,  and  commenced  prac- 
tice in  Ipswich,  Mass.  He  made  several  voyages  as 
surgeon  on  board  privateers  commanded  by  Captains 
Giles  and  Hill.  The  first  exercise  of  his  surgical 
skill  was  in  the  amputation  of  Capt.  G's  leg;  and 
Capt.  H.,  as  a  mark  of  esteem,  presented  him  with  a 
chaise  manufactured  for  the  governor  of  Barbadoes, 
found  on  board  a  prize.  While  resident  in  Ipswich, 
Dr.  W.  volunteered  in  the  regiment  commanded  by 
Col.  Wade,  which  marched  to  suppress  Shays'  re- 
bellion. He  married  Miss  Eunice  Farley,  of  Ips- 
wich, by  whom  he  had  ten  children,  viz:  Ehsha, 
Michael  (who  died  in  infancy),  Elizabeth,  Susan, 
Michael,  Dorothy,  Lucy,  Israel  (who  died  young), 
Israel  and  Lucy  Ann. 

In  1792,  Dr.  Whitney  removed  to  Beverly,  where 
for  fifteen  years  he  pursued  a  laborious  and  exten- 
sive practice.  His  social  nature  drew  around  him  a 
numerous  circle  of  friends,  while  the  kindness  of  his 
address  relieved  the  timid  and  humble  of  the  re- 
straints imposed  by  stately  reserve.  No  physician 
was  more  welcome  in  the  chamber  of  sickness,  as  no 
one  better  understood  the  importance  of  cheerfulness 
in  combating  disease.  He  always  had  a  word  in 
season,  and  possessed  a  happy  faculty  of  saying  the 

*    See  "■  Thacher's   Medical   Biography."      •'<  The   Massachusetts 
Gazette"  for  Feb.  6,  1786. 


160  HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY. 

best  thing  in  the  best  way.  The  elasticity  of  his 
spirits  imparted  to  his  conversation  an  influence  em- 
inently calculated  to  dissipate  the  gloom  incident  to 
protracted  illness,  and  the  hopefulness  of  his  tone 
inspired  his  patients  with  a  confidence  scarcely  less 
serviceable  than  medical  prescriptions.  His  benevo- 
lence, of  which  the  poor,  in  his  practice,  enjoyed  a 
large  share,  and  his  professional  skill,  gave  him  a 
deserved  popularity;  and  his  decease,  which  occurred 
Feb.  22,  1807,  at  the  age  of  GO,  was  universally  la- 
mented. 

Dr.  Joshua  Fisher  was  born  in  Dedham,  May, 
1749.  His  ancestors  were  respected  and  wealthy 
farmers.  He  was  second  cousin  to  Fisher  Ames.  He 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1766,  at  the  age  of 
17.  His  parents  designed  him  for  the  ministry  ;  but 
after  teaching  a  school  in  Rowley  for  two  years,  he 
was  seized  with  disease  of  the  lungs,  which  led  him 
to  relinquish  this  purpose,  and  in  1770  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Lincoln, 
of  Hingham,  brother  of  Gen.  Lincoln.  He  always 
spoke  of  his  preceptor  as  a  man  of  rare  talent,  and 
much  in  advance  of  his  profession.  He  practised  for 
a  time  in  Ipswich  and  then  in  Salem,  but  soon  remov- 
ed to  Beverly,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  The  times  in  which  Dr.  Fisher  entered  on  his 
professional  career  possessed  extraordinary  interest. 
The  great  question  of  the  future  government  of  the 
country  had  begun  deeply  to  agitate  the  whole  land. 
It  addressed  itself  to  every  individual,  and  profound 
interest  was  felt  by  each  and  all  in  the  decision.  It 
was  this  fact  in  the  history  of  the  revolution,  which 
gave  to  it  character  and  ultimate  success.     Dr.  Fisher 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  161 

was  not  insensible  to  the  patriotic  spirit  which  then 
prevailed ;  and  we  find  him  leaving  the  quiet  of  vil- 
lage practice  and  entering  a  private  armed  vessel  as 
surgeon.  He  sailed  from  Marblehead:  a  valuable 
prize  was  captured  and  sent  into  Salem.  We  next 
find  him  in  the  British  channel,  where,  after  cruising 
some  time,  the  vessel  was  surrounded  by  English 
ships  of  war.  Escape  being  impossible,  the  privateer 
was  run  ashore,  those  on  board  hoping  to  secrete 
themselves  on  land.  They  were,  however,  soon  dis- 
covered and  pursued,  and  all  but  Dr.  Fisher  secured 
as  prisoners.  He  was  seized  by  two  strong  men  ; 
but  suddenly,  with  a  desperate  effort,  he  threw  them 
to  the  ground  and  escaped.  Through  a  series  of 
most  perilous  and  romantic  adventures,  in  which  he 
displayed  great  adroitness  and  energy,  he  made  his 
way  over  a  considerable  part  of  England,  and  finally 
got  to  France,  where  he  entered  another  privateer. 
After  a  successful  cruise  in  this,  he  took  passage  in  a 
letter  of  marque  for  Boston,  and  arrived  there  after 
a  most  dangerous  voyage.  His  public  andenterpriz- 
ing  spirit  next  led  him  to  take  an  active  part  in 
establishing  a  cotton  factory,  which  was  situated  in 
Upper  Beverly,  and  of  which  he  was  superintendent. 
This  project,  the  first  of  the  kind  in  New  England, 
was  unsuccessful,  and  after  much  loss  was  abandon- 
ed. He  therefore  early  returned  to  his  practice  as  a 
physician.  The  professional  character  of  Dr.  Fisher 
presents  points  of  great  interest.  He  was  largely 
gifted  with  those  moral  and  intellectual  qualities 
which  give  honor  and  usefulness  to  the  medical  pro- 
fession. He  brought  to  every  case  his  whole  mind. 
He  possessed  extraordinary  powers  of  observation 
and  reflection,  and  seized  with  wonderful  tact  on 
14^ 


162  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

what  was  most  worthy  of  consideration.  He  em- 
ployed but  few  remedies,  and  those  were  selected 
from  the  most  powerful.  His  treatment  of  inflamma- 
tion, whether  of  the  serous,  mucous,  or  other  tissues, 
differed  from  that  of  many  of  his  brethren.  He 
rarely  or  never  bled,  but  attempted  to  relieve  pain 
by  opium;  and  then  by  large  quantities  of  calomel 
to  subdue  the  morbid  processes  on  which  the  exist- 
ence of  the  disease  depended.  "  When  driving  a 
nail,  (he  would  say)  why  strike  it  a  timid  and  use- 
less blow  7  Nothing  is  to  be  gained  by  that :  use  at 
once  the  force  required,  and  the  object  is  accomplish- 
ed." Such  was  the  kind  and  the  illustration  of  his 
practice.  The  independence  and  originality  discovered 
in  it,  belonged  to  his  mind  after  a  manner  which  dis- 
tinguished all  he  did.  He  could  not  be  seduced  by 
the  mere  pretension  of  novelty  from  what  he  had 
ascertained  to  be  true  in  principle  and  correct  in 
practice ;  and  his  respect  for  authority  never  so  far 
blinded  him  as  to  disturb  his  confidence  in  what,  as 
he  believed,  his  own  sound  and  accurate  observation 
had  established. 

Dr.  Fisher  was,  from  native  constitution  and  habit, 
a  retiring  man.  But  this  was  true  only  of  his  inter- 
course with  the  many :  with  the  few  he  was  unre- 
served. He  was  singularly  acute  in  discerning  char- 
acter ;  and  he  delighted  in  studying  it.  It  was  the 
individual  case  which  had  to  him  the  greatest  inter- 
est in  his  study  of  disease,  and  the  same  was  true  of 
his  intercourse  with  men ;  he  loved  to  study  the 
individual.  He  took  great  pleasure  in  receiving  from 
those  with  whom  he  thus  familiarly  associated  all 
they  could  impart,  and  he  communicated  in  turn 
what  the  occasion  required,  being  always  anxious  to 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  163 

be  useful.  It  was  natural,  therefore,  that  he  should 
be  regarded  ever  as  the  agreeable  and  instructive 
companion.  Few,  more  than  he,  have  exerted  a  more 
powerful  and  enduring  influence  on  individual  minds. 
He  was  truly  honored  and  beloved  by  his  patients. 
His  reputation  was  great ;  and  this  brought  him 
forward  as  a  consulting  physician  over  a  wide  cir- 
cuit. A  moral  and  intellectual  quality  of  his  char- 
acter, which  is  especially  remembered  by  those  who 
best  knew  him,  is  purit}^ — purity  of  mind  and  heart. 
This  it  was  that  gave  to  his  intellectual  nature  its 
greatest  beauty,  power  and  attractiveness.  It  con- 
stituted the  tone  of  his  mind — it  was  the  atmosphere 
in  which  it  expanded,  and  by  which  it  was  invigo- 
rated. It  caused  him  to  shrink  with  horror  from 
moral  taint,  and  to  love  the  good  wherever  it  existed. 
While  it  made  him  most  sensible  to  vice,  his  native 
kindliness  led  him  to  pity  what  he  could  not  but 
condemn.  The  moral  dignity  of  such  a  character, 
if  we  may  not  attain  to,  we  may  love;  and  so  diffu- 
sive is  it,  that  the  mere  contemplation  of  it  must 
make  the  observer  better.  Such  a  mind  was  admi- 
rably fitted  for  the  study  of  nature,  and  few  have 
felt  a  deeper  interest  in  natural  history.  His  strong 
powers  of  comparing,  observing  and  remembering, 
singularly  qualified  him  for  pursuing  this  branch  of 
science ;  and  he  devoted  himself  to  it  whenever  and 
wherever  opportunity  offered.  He  had  a  genuine 
love  of  nature.  He  felt  its  beauty  in  its  truth 
and  whole  amount,  and  derived  perpetual  pleasure 
from  the  perception  of  it.  Had  his  means  originally 
allowed  his  so  doing,  he  would  have  chosen  natural 
science  as  his  profession,  and  his  success  would  have 
been  great.     A  standing  testimony  of  his  zeal  in  this 


164  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

cause  is  furnished  by  his  munificent  endowment  of 
the  Fisher  Professorship  of  Natural  History  in  Har- 
vord  University,  to  which  by  his  will  he  gave 
$20,000.  He  has,  in  a  sense,  thus  perpetuated  his 
own  mind  among  us.  He  has  at  least  provided  the 
means  by  which  one  of  his  most  cherished  objects 
shall  be  perpetually  promoted. 

He  was  twice  married,  and  was  highly  favored  in 
both  connexions — having  been  thus  united  to  two 
most  amiable  and  excellent  women.  Without  chil- 
dren of  his  own,  he  was  yet  surrounded  by  those 
whom  he  regarded  as  such,  and  who,  with  not  less 
than  filial  affection,  contributed  to  the  happiness  of 
his  advancing  years.  His  home  was  the  abode  of 
true  hospitality ;  and  it  was  there  he  found  most 
constant  and  pure  enjoyment,  as  well  as  the  retire- 
ment congenial  to  his  inclinations.  But  though  he 
shrunk  from  general  society,  he  never  did  from  pub- 
lic duty.  He  was  in  an  important  sense  a  public 
man.  He  took  an  active  part  in  politics,  and  was 
the  intimate  associate  and  friend  of  George  Cabot. 
His  connexion  with  Fisher  Ames,  and  the  har- 
mony of  their  political  views,  established  similar  re- 
lations between  them.  It  were  sufficient  praise  to 
have  been  the  associate  and  friend  of  these  two  of 
the  most  honored  men  of  our  State.  He  sustained 
important  public  offices.  He  was  president  of  the 
Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  a  senator  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, and  president  of  the  Beverly  Bank  and 
the  Beverly  Charitable  Society.  He  was  the  project- 
or of  the  latter ;  and  having  largely  added  to  its 
funds  during  his  life,  left  it  a  munificent  bequest  in 
his  will.  Connected  with  his  donation  at  its  com- 
mencement, was  this  peculiar  condition — that  $100 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  165 

of  it  should  be  set  aside  to  accumulate  (in  the  shape 
of  loans,  on  undoubted  security,  to  deserving  young 
men — or  at  least,  preference  being  given  to  such)  for 
a  hundred  years,  when  it  would  amount,  in  available 
funds  for  the  society,  to  many  thousands  of  dollars. 
He  was  a  very  liberal  benefactor,  in  his  lifetime  and 
by  bequest,  to  other  public  objects — particularly  the 
first  parish  in  Beverly,  and  the  west  parish  in  Ded- 
ham — his  native  parish.  The  whole  amount  of  his 
legacies  to  such  objects  was  upwards  of  $30,000. 

He  retained  his  intellectual  energy  remarkably  to 
the  close  of  life, — though,  for  many  of  his  latter  years, 
he  withdrew  from  general  practice.  He  loved  knowl- 
edge from  his  youth,  and  beloved  it  to  the  last.  His 
interest  continued  unabated  in  all  the  true  sources  of 
information,  and  of  intellectual  and  moral  gratifica- 
tion. He  kept  pace  with  the  current  literature,  and 
took  constant  interest  and  pleasure  in  it  to  the  latest 
period  of  his  long  life.  But  he  was  not  unobservant 
of  the  effect  of  time  on  some  of  his  faculties — mem- 
ory in  particular.  How  strange  is  this  power  of  the 
human  intellect,  looking  on  its  own  faculties  as  its 
instruments,  and  discovering  at  once,  with  a  distinct- 
ness none  else  can,  where  the  machinery  is  wearing 
away,  while  it  feels  how  powerless  it  is  to  repair  it. 
There  are  few  things  more  interesting  in  the  contem- 
templation  of  a  really  vigorous  mind,  than  this  sin- 
gle fact.  Such  a  mind  was  Dr.  Fisher's.  This  was 
acknowledged  by  all  who  came  within  its  reach,  and 
could  apprehend  its  power.  His  aflfections  were 
strong.  His  moral  faculties  were  vigorous  and  in 
continual  exercise.  His  religious  sentiment  was 
pure  and  elevated  and  enlightened.  He  looked  on 
death  as  "an  event  in  life" — the  appointment- of  a 


166  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

perfect  Father,  as  were  all  other  events ;  and  he  sub- 
mitted to  it  humbly,  but  with  a  bright  hope  and  full 
trust. 

He  died  in  Beverly,  on  the  loth  of  March,  1833, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  84. 

Dr.  Abner  Howe  was  born  in  Jaffrey,  N.  H.  in 
1781.  His  father  was  an  eminent  and  much-re- 
spected physician  of  that  place.  He  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  College  in  1801.  Having  an  early  pre- 
dilection for  the  medical  profession,  he  devoted  him- 
self  with  ardor  to  its  study,  under  the  distinguished 
Professor  Smith,  at  Dartmouth.  He  also,  for  sev- 
eral months,  attended  the  hospitals  of  Philadelphia, 
and  the  lectures  for  which  that  city  was  then,  as  it 
is  now,  noted, — enjoying,  at  the  same  time,  the  pri- 
vate instruction  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Rush.  He 
commenced  practice  in  his  native  town,  as  a  surgeon 
and  consulting  physician,  but  soon  removed  to  Bev- 
erly, where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and 
died,  after  a  gradual  decline.  May  15,  1826,  leaving 
behind  him  the  well-earned  reputation  of  an  enlight- 
ened, devoted,  successful  physician,  an  upright  and 
useful  citizen,  and  a  true  Christian.  "  This  excel- 
lent physician  (says  the  author  of  the  Memoir  re- 
ferred to  below,^  than  whom  none  knew  him  better) 
was  removed  from  life  at  the  meridian,  in  the  full 
vigor  of  his  powers,  enriched  by  the  experience  of 
twenty  years  of  successful  practice,  endeared  to  the 
community,  and  a  blessing  above  estimation  to  a 
young  and  numerous  family.     To  amiable  views  of 

*  Memoir  of  Dr.  Abner  Howe,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Abbot,  published  in 
the  Christian  Visitant,  vol.  1,  No.  5,  pp.  201—215. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  167 

religion,  his  life  was  happily  conformed.  He  was  an 
humble  and  devotional  man  at  home,  as  well  as  in 
the  house  of  God.  He  was  the  kindest  of  husbands 
and  best  of  fathers.  But  his  well-principled  and  en- 
lightened mind  was  not  confined  to  personal  and  do- 
mestic views  ;  his  notion  of  charity  was  much  more 
expansive.  In  the  best  sense  of  the  word,  and  ac- 
cording to  his  means  and  opportunities,  he  was  a 
public  man.  He  sought  to  advance  the  general  in- 
terest by  promoting  the  peace  of  the  town,  and  chris- 
tian affection  among  the  churches,  by  a  word  spoken 
in  season  to  soften  prejudices  and  to  rectify  mis- 
understandings. For  this  christian  office  his  oppor- 
tunities were  great,  and  they  were  discreetly  im- 
proved. Dr.  Howe  felt  a  lively  interest  in  the  young. 
Amid  his  pressing  professional  duties,  he  secured 
time  to  watch  over  the  schools,  to  give  encourage- 
ment to  the  teachers,  and  his  affectionate  countenance 
to  the  youth, — his  best  advice  to  improve  the  plans 
of  education,  and  when  necessary,  his  liberal  contri- 
bution. He  was  a  friend  of  charitable  institutions, 
whether  for  the  relief  of  the  indigent,  or  the  promo- 
tion of  christian  knowledge  and  piety ;  and  in  sev- 
eral of  them  he  gave  his  time  and  attention,  as  an 
officer,  to  advance  their  funds  and  extend  their  influ- 
ence. In  his  professional  course,  his  charity  was 
most  remarkable.  Here,  he  was  the  poor  man's 
friend ;  in  numerous  cases  giving  attendance  and 
medicine  to  the  sick,  and  often  relief  to  the  distressed 
family,  without  the  hope  of  earthly  reward.  No 
man  was  ever  distressed  or  made  uneasy  by  his 
claims  upon  him.  His  brief  and  fleeting  life  passed 
without  any  of  those  remarkable  incidents  which  tell 
in  story.     Without  special  pretensions  to  genius  or 


168  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Striking  talents,  without  being  known  to  fame  in  a 
wide  circle,  the  very  respectable  powers  of  his  prac- 
tical mind  were  cultivated  with  great  care,  and  in- 
tensely applied  in  his  immediate  sphere.  In  that 
sphere,  the  effect  was  admirable.  To  be  a  good  and 
useful  man  was  his  chastened  and  holy  ambition, 
and  to  a  high  degree  it  was  gratified.  He  was 
warmly  esteemed  as  an  enlightened  and  faithful,  a 
humane  and  pious  physician.  As  the  sweet  odor  of 
precious  ointment  poured  forth,  his  name  will  be  long 
cherished." 


MILITARY. 


Military  defence  was  early  found  necessary  in  this 
town,  both  against  savage  and  other  foes,  though 
the  peaceful  terms  on  which  the  Naumkeag  territory 
was  obtained,  and  the  honorable  manner  in  which 
the  claims  subsequently  set  up  by  the  heirs  of  the 
Sagamore  of  Agawam,  were  liquidated,  secured  this 
place  from  the  Indian  depredations  which  many 
other  New  England  settlements  suffered.  In  1662, 
there  was  a  "  foot  company  "  in  Beverly,  command- 
ed by  Capt.  Thomas  Lothrop. 

After  his  death  the  General  Court  appointed  Mr. 
John  Hathorne  of  Salem,  to  the  command.  The 
appointment  was  strongly  objected  to  by  the  citizens 
of  this  town,  and  a  petition  was  immediately  for- 
warded to  "the  much  honored  General  Court," 
praying  for  the  substitution  of  a  nomination  made 
by  themselves.  The  petitioners  say,  "  though  the 
gentleman  may  be  worthy  to  lead  a  far  more  honor- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  169 

able  company  than  ours,  yet  in  regard  of  his  dis- 
tance of  place,  and  as  great  an  inconvenience  of  the 
ferry,  he  is  wholly  in  a  manner  uncapable  to  be  ser- 
viceable unto  us,  especially  in  times  of  war,  either 
by  impressing  soldiers,  ordering  us  in  arms,  regulat- 
ing our  trainings,  especially  upon  disappointments 
of  weather,  or  appointing  times  of  meeting ;  where- 
fore our  humble  request  is,  that  vour  honors  will  be 
pleased  to  settle  our  whole  militia  within  our  town." 
The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted,  and 
Lieut.  William  Dixy  received  the  appointment  of 
captain.  In  1689,  he  was  succeeded  in  command 
by  Paul  Thorndike.^ 

Previous  to  1689,  a  company  of  horse  was  orga- 
nized in  this  town,  of  which  William  Rayment,  sen. 
was  captain,  William  Dodge  lieutenant,  John  Dodge 
jr.  cornet,  Thomas  West  quartermaster.  In  1690, 
for  reasons  not  apparent,  the  General  Court  medi- 
tated the  disbanding  of  this  association,  and  merging 
its  members  in  the  "  foot  company."  Against  this 
procedure  the  cavalry  strongly  remonstrated.  They 
declared,  ''  First,  we  are  already  provided  for  and 
fitted  with  furniture  and  arms,  fit  for  the  service  of 
a  troop.  Secondly,  we  are  and  have  been  always 
trained  up  in  the  exercise  of  a  troop.  Thirdly,  our 
inability  at  the  present  to  serve  the  country  in  any 
other  way  of  service  besides  what  belongs  to  a 
troop.  We  are  unfit  in  respect  of  arms  and  prac- 
tice." They  concluded  by  saying  that  if  their  pe- 
tition to  remain  in  their  existing  organization  is 
granted,  they  will  "  with  all  readiness  and  willing- 
ness serve  God  and  the  country  to  the  utmost  abili- 

*  Provincial  Records. 
15 


170  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

ty."  The  Court,  after  considering  the  subject,  con- 
sented to  their  request  provided  they  made  up  "a 
number  of  forty  able-bodied  troopers,"  furnished  and 
equipped  according  to  law,  within  a  specified  time. 
The  terms  were  eagerly  assented  to,  and  two  days 
before  the  expiration  of  the  term,  a  list  embracing 
the  requisite  number  was  forwarded,  and  an  accom- 
panying nomination  of  officers  confirmed. =^ 

In  1641,  all  the  companies  in  Essex  county  con- 
stituted a  single  regiment.  In  1680,  this  regiment 
was  divided,  and  a  second  formed,  comprising  the 
companies  in  Beverly,  Salem,  Marblehead,  Wenham, 
Ipswich,  Gloucester  and  Lynn.  A  new  organiza- 
tion of  the  military  within  the  bounds  of  these  regi- 
ments took  place  in  1690,  when  three  regiments 
were  formed,  one  of  which  consisted  of  the  compa- 
nies in  Beverly,  Salem,  Marblehead,  Lynn  and 
Manchester.  In  1723,  the  Beverly  companies  were 
attached  to  the  Salem  regiment,  and  afterwards 
were  enrolled  in  the  Danvers  regiment.  They  were 
subsequently  united  with  the  Manchester  companies, 
and  formed  the  Beverly  regiment,'  of  which  John 
Francis  was  the  first  colonel.  This  regiment  was 
disbanded  in  1831,  and  two  companies  of  infantry, 
with  the  light  infantry,  were  attached  to  the  first 
regiment,  composed  of  four  companies  from  Marble- 
head and  six  from  Salem.  In  1834,  the  volunteer 
companies  were  taken  from  this  regiment,  and  the 
sixth  regiment  of  light  infantry  formed  from  Bev- 
erly, Salem,  Marblehead,  Lynn,  Danvers,  Manches- 
ter and  Rockport. 

At  what  time  more  than  one  foot  company  was 

*  Provincial  Records. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  171 

formed  in  this  town  is  unknown,  but  in  1775  men- 
tion is  made,  in  the  records,  of  three.  These  compa- 
nies met  for  military  parade  at  the  first  and  second 
parish  meeting-houses,  and  at  the  Cove. 

After  the  revohitionary  war  broke  out,  an  inde- 
pendent company  of  grenadiers  was  raised,  con- 
sisting of  the  tallest  men  in  town.  It  was  com- 
manded by  Henry  Herrick,  son  of  Col.  Henry  Her- 
rick,  and  marched  to  Rhode  Island  to  reinforce  the 
troops  there.  At  what  time  it  was  disbanded  is  not 
known. 

After  the  peace  of  178-3,  the  military  declined,  but 
revived  again  before  the  war  of  1812.  During  this 
last  contest  with  Great  Britain,  a  volunteer  company 
of  artillery  was  formed,  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  Nicholas  Thorndike,  and  the  militia  were  kept 
in  constant  readiness  for  service. 

The  first  light  infantry  company  commenced  by  a 
voluntary  association  of  individuals,  at  a  meeting 
held  October  17th,  1800,  but  was  not  established  by 
law  until  June  2d,  1801,  when,  under  an  order  from 
Lt.  Col.  James  Burnham  of  the  third  regiment,  they 
were  regularly  enlisted.  On  the  1.5th  of  the  same 
month,  a  meeting  was  held  for  the  choice  of  oflficers. 
Jonathan  H.  Lovett  was  chosen  captain,  Josiah 
Gould  lieutenant,  and  Robert  Rantoul  ensign.  Mr. 
Gould  declined,  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting  Mr. 
Rantoul  was  chosen  in  his  stead.  The  vacancy 
made  by  this  promotion  was  filled  by  the  choice  of 
Samuel  Stickney  for  ensign.  Capt.  Lovett  having 
been  chosen  major,  Mr.  Rantoul  was  chosen  captain 
and  Timothy  Wyer  lieutenant.  In  1809.  Captain 
Rantoul  was  discharged  by  his  own  request.  His 
successor  was  T.  Wyer,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rob- 


172  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

ert  Tuck.  On  the  fourth  of  July,  1807,  an  elegant 
standard  was  presented  to  this  company  by  the 
ladies  of  Beverly.  The  ceremony  of  presentation 
was  performed  by  Miss  Susan  Whitney,  accompan- 
ied with  an  appropriate  address.  The  colors  were 
received  by  Ensign  Stickney,  who  made  a  brief  and 
pertinent  reply.    The  company  was  finally  disbanded. 

The  present  light  infantry  company  was  organized 
about  1815.  The  first  commander  was  AVilliani 
Thorndike.  His  successors  have  been  Cotton  Ben- 
nett, Samuel  P.  Lovett,  Stephen  Nourse,  Charles 
Stevens,  and  Josiah  Woodberry.  On  the  23d  Sep- 
tember, 1836,  the  company  paraded  in  an  entire  new 
uniform,  under  the  command  of  Capt,  Charles  Ste- 
vens, accompanied  by  the  Boston  Brass  Band,  on 
which  occasion  a  beautiful  standard  was  presented 
them  by  Miss  B.  L.  Chapman,  in  the  name  of  the 
ladies  of  Beverly.  This  company  holds  a  high  rank 
as  a  well-disciplined  and  efficient  corps. 

From  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war  until 
quite  recently,  an  organized  and  well- disciplined 
militia  has  been  considered  vitally  important  to  the 
safety  of  the  State;  and  within  twenty  years,  "  May 
training,"  and  the  autumnal  regimental  or  brigade 
muster,  was  anticipated  by  young  and  old  with  an 
interest  surpassed  only,  if  at  all,  by  that  felt  in 
"  election"  and  "thanksgiving"  days.  On  these  occa- 
sions the  people  poured  in  from  adjacent  towns  to 
witness  the  pageant,  and  the  "tented  field"  dis- 
played a  heterogeneous  collection  of  omnivorous  be- 
ings, biped  and  quadruped.  Here  were  sires  leaning 
on  the  staff  of  age,  and  youths  alarming  the  timid 
with  the  mimic  musketry  of  "  India  crackers,"  or 
imitating  their  elders  in  copious  potations  of  punch 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  173 

and  "egg  pop."  Here  were  modest  swains  paying 
faithful  devoir  to  bashful  maidens,  "  flaunting  in 
silks,"  or  decked  in  habiliments  of  rainbow  hue : 
and  there  groups  of  urchins,  exchanging  their  silver 
and  copper  for  the  merchandize  of  venders  of  ginger- 
bread and  candied  sweets.  Here,  the  athletic  ex- 
hibited their  skill  in  "wrestling;"  and  there,  "the 
ring"  was  formed  for  the  mysteries  of  "pawpaw," 
"  hustling,"  "  wheel  of  fortune,"  and  other  forms  of 
popular  gaming.  The  "  nodding  plume,"  the  "  flash- 
ing sword,"  and  "  bristling  bayonet,"  were  gazed 
upon  by  the  young  with  unsuppressed  admiration, 
while  the  shrill  fife  and  rattling  drum  rekindled  in 
the  breasts  of  revolutionary  patriarchs  the  fire  of 
"  times  that  tried  men's  souls ;"  and  seated  in  the 
"  booth,"  or  beneath  a  friendly  shade,  they  recounted 
for  the  hundredth  time  the  deeds  of  daring  at  Tren- 
ton, Yorktown  and  Stony  Point,  and  with  the  vigor 
of  former  days,  "  fought  all  their  battles  o'er  again." 
But  this  "  right  arm  of  defence"  was  not  without 
its  enemies.  With  such,  the  Washingtonian  doc- 
trine of  preparing  for  war  in  time  of  peace  had  be- 
come obsolete,  and  the  whole  system  was  assailed  at 
every  vulnerable  point.  To  frequent  and  disastrous 
legislation  was  united  the  powerful  auxiliary  of  ridi- 
cule. The  burlesque  regimental  review  at  Philadel- 
phia, under  the  redoubtable  Col.  Pluck,  was  the  sig- 
nal for  similar  fantastical  parades  throughout  the 
country.  Before  the  omnipotence  of  ridicule  the 
system  could  not  stand.  The  glory  departed ;  sub- 
ordination ceased,  resignation  of  officers  multiplied, 
a  rapid  decline  followed,  and  in  1840  the  militia 
organization  of  this  State  expired,  leaving  the  guar- 
dianship of  public  safety  to  the  volunteer  companies. 
15=^ 


174  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 


SOLDIERS. 

From  the  settlement  of  Beverly  until  the  close  of 
the  revolutionary  war,  there  was  hardly  an  expedi- 
tion against  the  Indians  or  French,  or  a  battle  of  any 
moment,  in  which  the  town  was  not  represented. 
The  following  list  of  soldiers,  in  addition  to  the 
names  mentioned  elsewhere,  has  been  compiled  with 
great  labor  from  the  muster-rolls  in  the  State  ar- 
chives, orderly  books,  and  other  sources,  though  it 
probably  presents  but  a  part  of  the  number  actually 
engaged  in  service. 

1676.  In  a  company  stationed  at  Wells,  on  the 
eastern  frontier,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Frost, 
John  Ellingwood,  Thomas  Parlor  and  Samuel  Col- 
lins. Ellingwood  was  wounded,  having  the  fore-fiii- 
ger  of  the  right  hand  shot  away  ;  in  consideration  of 
which  the  General  Court  granted  him,  in  1700-1,  £5 
for  his  present  relief,  and  £3  per  annum  during  life. 

1696.  In  Capt.  John  Hill's  company,  at  fort  St. 
Mary,  near  Saco,  John  Burt,  Benjamin  Carrill,  John 
Pickworth,  and  Israel  Wood. 

1756.  Enlisted  in  Capt.  Andrew  Fuller's  compa- 
ny, for  the  Crown  Point  expedition,  Benjamin  Balch, 
William  Eborn,  Daniel  Gloyd,  Corp.  John  Simonds, 
William  Moneys,  Azor  Roundy,  Joseph  Baker,  Elie- 
zer  Ellingwood,  John  Clark,  Peter  Stokes,  Daniel 
Butman,  (enlisted  again  in  1759,)  Robert  Matthews, 
George  Spence,  (enlisted  again  in  1759  and  1761.) 
Andrew  Woodberry. 

1757.  In  Capt.  Israel  Herrick's  company  of  East- 
ern Rangers,  Osman  Baker,  Bartholomew  Peart,  John 
Simonds,  John  Trask,  (enlisted  again  1758,)  Josiah 
Trow,  Robert  Baker  (Canada  expedition,  1759). 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  175 

1758.  In  Capt.  John  Tapley's  company,  Wells 
Standley,  William  Herrick,  Bartholomew  Taylor, 
John   Ciark  (at  the  capture  of  fort  William  Henry). 

In  various  other  companies.  1756.  Moses  Dodge 
(at  fort  Edward).  1758.  John  Smith,  Samuel  Tuck, 
Jonathan  Thorndike,  Samuel  Woodberry,  Josiah 
Woodberry,  James  Woodberry,  Jonathan  Corning, 
(seaman,)  Zebulon  Butman,  David  Hill,  (drummer,) 
Jonathan  Dodge,  Nathaniel  Woodberry,  John  Hub- 
bard, Abraham  Hix,  (enlisted  again  in  1761,)  Wil- 
liam Dodge  (again  in  1761).  1759.  Robert  Elliot, 
James  Giles,  Jonathan  Larcom,  Corp.  Andrew  Wood- 
berry, Benjamin  Brown,  William  Presson,  Richard 
Standley,  John  Wallis,  Barebeel  Woodberry,  Samuel 
Bean,  Josiah  Creesy,  Aaron  Crowell,  Andrew  Elliot, 
Amos  Hilton,  William  Morgan,  Robert  Pickett,  Nich- 
olas Standley.  1761.  Benjamin  Presson,  Ralph  Tuck, 
Wilks  West,  Robert  Standley,  Joseph  Wilhams,  Ben- 
jamin Dike,  Jonathan  Dodge,  Timothy  Howard,  Ja- 
cob Poland,  Nathaniel  Butman,  Samuel  Stickney. 

A  roll  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  a  company 
enlisted  in  Beverly,  for  the  expedition  against  Louis- 
burg,  1744. 

Benjamin  Ives,  jr.  captain  ;  George  Herrick  lieu- 
tenant, Josiah  Bachelder  ensign.  Job  Cressy  and 
Samuel  Woodberry,  sergeants ;  Benjamin  Cleaves, 
jr.  clerk,  Barth.  Brown  and  John  Picket,  corporals ; 
Joseph  Raymond,  drummer.  Privates :  Benjamin 
Smith,  Benjamin  Clark,  Samuel  Harris,  John  Roun- 
dy,  Israel  Byles,  Elias  Picket,  Ebenezer  Cox,  Jona- 
than Byles,  Andrew  Herrick,  Benjamin  Hervey, 
Samuel  Cole,  Richard  Ober,  Thomas  Butman,  Wil- 
liam James,  Jonathan  Harris,  Edmund  Clark,  John 
Grover,  John  Morgan,  Eleazer  Giles,  Ezra  Trask, 


176  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

John  Presson,  Francis  Elliot,  Benjamin  Dike,  Sam- 
uel Stone,  Israel  EUwell,  Israel  Woodberry,  Josiah 
Woodberry,  Jonathan  Morgan,  Joshua  Rea,  William 
Badcock,  Benjamin  Trask,  Edward  Cox,  James 
Trask,  Joseph  Elliott,  William  Leach,  Benjamin 
Howard,  Christopher  Bartlett,  Ebenezer  Hadley. 
Daniel  Stephens,  Caleb  Page,  Samuel  Chute.  To- 
tal 50. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  privates  in  Capt. 
Moses  Brown's  company,  raised  in  this  town  for  the 
war  of  the  revolution,  August,  1776. 

Richard  Ober,  Jonathan  Harris,  Freeborn  Thorn- 
dike,  Jonathan  Foster,  Samuel  Stone,  WiUiam 
Crowther,  Cornelius  Woodberry,  Luke  Woodberry, 
Andrew  Woodberry,  John  Cressy,  Amos  Cressy. 
Robert  Lovett,  Thomas  Parker,  Bartholomew  Smith, 
Mihill  Woodberry,  Thomas  Cox,  Nathan  Batchel- 
der,  Nathaniel  Ober,  Joseph  Ober,  James  Ober, 
William  Cook,  Abner  Stone,  Benjamin  Foster,  James 
Patch,  Henry  Pierce,  James  Goldthwait  (Salem). 
John  Darby  (Salem),  Asa  Larcom  (Salem),  Robert 
Stone,  Esop  Hale,  Herbert  Standley,  John  Biles,  Jo- 
siah Woodberry,  Jacob  Poland,  Andrew  Elliot. 
William  Herrick,  Ebenezer  Rogers,  John  Stone. 
William  Cressy,  Israel  Greene,  Benjamin  Porter. 
Thomas  Morse,  Joseph  Hall,  William  Kimball, 
Daniel  Carleton,  William  Gage,  Jonathan  Gage. 
Caleb  Wallis,  Ebenezer  Messer,  Joseph  Cross,  Eli- 
sha  Webber,  William  Harriman,  John  Berry,  Joseph 
Foster,  John  Swain.  The  officers  were  William 
Groves,  first  lieutenant ;  John  Wallis,  second  lieu- 
tenant; John  Clark,  ensign;  Samuel  Foster,  Wil- 
liam Bowles,  Richard  Ober  and  Samuel  Cressy,  ser- 
geants; William  Dike,  Joshua  Ellingwood,  Francis 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  177 

Ober  and  Ezra  Ober,  corporals;  Jonathan  Grover 
drummer,  and  John  Leach  fifer,  both  of  Marble- 
head.     Total,  69. 

The  following  persons  belonging  to  this  town 
were  enUsted  in  Capt.  Billy  Porter's  company,  and 
were  in  Col.  Tapper's  regiment  at  West  Point, 
1779. 

Thomas  Francis,  lieut. ;  WiUiam  Burley,  lieut. ; 
Benjamin  Shaw,  ensign;  John  Pickett,  sergeant; 
Jeremiah  Woodberry,  corporal ;  Benjamin  B.  Wood, 
drummer.  The  privates  were  Asa  Batchelder,  Jona- 
than Conant,  Benjamin  Corning,  Mathias  Claxton, 
Alexander  Carrico,  Samuel  Dodge,  Simeon  Dodge, 
George  Grose,  Andrew  Herrick,  Claton  Jones,  Na- 
than Jones,  John  Kennady,  Abner  Raymond,  Ben- 
jamin Woodberry,  Benjamin  WoodbeiTy,  jr.  Israel 
Woodberry,  Nathaniel  Woodberry,  William  Wood- 
berry.    Total,  24. 

The  company  commanded  by  Capt.  Page  of  Dan- 
vers,  enlisted  the  following  persons  from  Beverly. 

Samuel  Goodridge,  1st  lieut. ;  Joseph  Raymond, 
sergeant.  Privates,  Robert  Edwards,  Scipio  Bart- 
lett,  James  Hurley,  Joseph  Poland,  Primas  Green. 
Total,  7. 

Jonathan  Conant,  sen.  was  paymaster  in  Col. 
Francis'  regiment,  and  afterwards  under  Col.  Ben- 
jamin Tupper.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth. 
Joshua  Twist  was  in  Gates'  army  at  the  taking 
of  Burgoyne.  William  and  Samuel  Cressy  were 
in  the  battle  of  Trenton.  Luke  Roundy  was  a 
lieutenant  in  Capt.  Low's  company.  He  was 
wounded  at  Saratoga,  and  died  at  Albany.  Na- 
thaniel Cleaves  was  in  the  same  engagement.  Wil- 
liam  Goodridge,    Robert   Goodridge,    Israel   Trask, 


178  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Benjamin  Ellingwood,  Thomas  Lovett,  Benjamin 
Bickford,  Benjamin  Bickford,  jr.  John  Bickford, 
Nathaniel  Friend,  Isaac  Smilh,  Jonathan  Wood- 
berry,  Zachariah  Morgan  and  Benjamin  Spriggs, 
were  also  in  the  service. 


TEMPERANCE. 

On  the  subject  of  temperance,  this  town  has  kept 
in  the  van  of  enlightened  public  sentiment.  While 
mistaken  hospitality  required  the  decanter  to  grace 
the  sideboard,  and  the  "social  glass"  constituted  an 
essential  element  of  friendly  intercourse,  spirituous 
liquors  were  here,  as  in  other  places,  freely  used. 
To  neglect  to  offer,  or  to  refuse  to  partake,  would, 
according  to  prevailing  opinions,  have  been  regarded 
as  a  violation  of  etiquette  on  the  one  hand,  and  as 
indicative  of  austerity  or  displeasure  on  the  other  ; 
and  though  a  general  sobriety  prevailed,  and  gross 
instances  of  intoxication  were  less  frequent  than  in 
most  other  towns,  still  there  were  here  many  victims 
to  the  inebriating  cup.  The  idea  prevailed  here  as 
elsewhere,  that,  aside  from  convivial  occasions  and 
social  greetings,  a  necessity  existed  for  the  use  of 
alcoholic  drinks  by  laboring  men.  This  idea  was 
encouraged  by  municipal  action.  In  repairing  the 
highways,  or  in  executing  any  public  work,  the  town 
made  a  liberal  provision  of  rum,  and  a  half-pint  per 
man  of  tliis  beverage  was  frequently  added  to  daily 
pay.  The  practice  of  "  treating"  on  being  inducted 
into  a  town  or  parish  office,  and  of  providing  select- 
men and  assessors  with  dinners,  wine,  punch,  toddy, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  179 

flip,  etc.,  at  the  tavern  in  which  they  held  their 
meetings,  also  prevailed,  though  with  no  sensible 
advantage  to  the  public  interest.  But  as  temperance 
principles  became  better  understood,  these  customs 
were  abandoned.^  In  1821,  two  innholders  and 
twenty-one  retailers  were  licensed  to  sell  ardent  spi- 
rits ;  but  for  several  years  past,  no  licenses  have  been 
granted  to  taverns  or  stores,  and  the  sale  of  distilled 
liquors  and  wines  has  been  restricted  to  medical  pre- 
scriptions. This  reform  has  been  promoted  by  judi- 
cious individuals,  who  early  appreciated  the  evils  of 
intemperance.  It  has  been  of  gradual  growth,  and 
effected  with  but  little  excitement, — an  evidence  of 
its  purity,  and  a  pledge  of  its  permanency. 

In  the  progress  of  temperance,  the  appointment  of 
a  "  committee  of  inspection  "  in  1675,  to  prevent 
"  private  tippling  and  drunkenness,"  may  be  consid- 
ered a  primary  measure. f  Though  much  was  pro- 
bably done  intermediately,  the  second  act  of  the  town 
worthy  of  remembrance  was  the  vote  of  March  8th, 
1790,  by  which  the  practice  of  "giving  drink"  to 
public  officers  on  being  qualified,  was  abolished.  A 
third  step  was  a  vote  of  March  9th;  1807,  by  which 


*  About  40  gallons  of  rum  were  consumed  annually  at  the  expense 
of  the  town,  in  repairing  the  highways.  Parish  tavern  bills  were  about 
$30  per  annum,  and  town  tavern  expenses  were  considerably  more. 
Between  Aug.  1,  1789,  and  Feb.  1,  1790,  excise  was  paid  on  2,037  1-2 
gallons  N.  E.  rum  and  other  distilled  spirits,  420  1-2  gallons  foreign 
rum,  119  1-4  gallons  other  foreign  distilled  spirits,  and  52  1-2  gallons 
of  wine. 

f  This  committee  was  chosen  in  obedience  to  a  law  of  the  General 
Court,  and  consisted  of  William  Dodge,  sen.,  Humphrey  Woodberry, 
Josiah  Roots,  Exercise  Conant,  John  Hill,  Robert  Hibbert,  Nathaniel 
Hayward,  Richard  Ober  and  John  Dodge,  sen.  Each  member  of  the 
committee  had  the  supervision  of  ten  families. 


180  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

the  selectmen  were  requested  ''not  to  approbate  or 
recommend  for  the  renewal  of  their  license  any  per- 
son in  future  as  an  innholder,"  who  was  not  provid- 
ed with  accommodations  for  entertaining  travellers. 
Both  Dr.  Abbot  and  Mr.  Emerson  early  gave  their 
public  testimony  against  the  evils  of  intemperance, 
and  contributed  essentially  in  awakening  a  more 
general  attention  to  the  subject.  These,  with  other 
acts  of  a  less  public  character,  opened  the  way  for 
the  consummating  measure  of  concentrating  and 
consolidating  pubHc  opinion  through  the  agency  of 
temperance  societies. 

The  first  movement  towards  obtaining  pledges  to 
total  abstinence  from  distilled  liquors,  except  as  a 
medicine,  was  about  1830,  and  a  society  was  soon 
after  formed. 

The  Beverly  Baptist  Temperance  Society  was  or- 
ganized in  1832.  In  1835,  these  societies  were  unit- 
ed, under  the  name  of  The  Beverly  Temperance  So- 
ciety. 

The  Village  Temperance  Society,  at  the  Farms, 
was  instituted  April  2d,  1832.  The  constitution  dis- 
countenances traffic  in  distilled  liquors,  and  prohibits 
their  use  as  a  common  beverage. 

In  1833,  a  Temperance  Association  was  formed 
in  the  Second  Parish,  the  members  of  which  pledged 
themselves  not  to  use  distilled  spirit,  nor  provide  it 
for  others,  except  as  a  medicine,  and  in  all  proper 
ways  to  discountenance  its  use  in  the  community. 

The  Union  Temperance  Society  was  formed  April 
6th,  1835. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  181 

The  Total  Abstinence  Society  was  organized  in 
April,  1838.  Its  motto  is  -'total  abstinence  from  all 
that  can  intoxicate." 

Between  two  and  three  thousand  persons  have 
united  with  these  several  associations,  and  through 
the  agency  of  lectures  and  efficient  committees,  as 
well  as  individual  example,  each  organization  has 
effected  much  for  the  general  cause.  In  1840,  the 
"  Washingtonian  reformation"  commenced,  and  gave 
a  new  impulse  to  the  temperance  movement  through- 
out the  country.  Of  this  influence,  Beverly  has  par- 
taken. Lectures  by  reformed  inebriates  have  been 
delivered  before  numerous  and  interested  assemblies, 
and  a  large  number  of  pledges  taken.  It  is  deserv- 
ing of  honorable  mention,  that  no  fishing  vessels 
sailing  from  this  port,  take  ardent  spirits  as  a  part  of 
their  regular  supplies. "^ 


charitable  and  other  associations. 

The  benevolent  virtues  are  not  the  least  among  the 
characteristics  of  Beverly.  Several  associations  ex- 
ist, having  for  their  object  the  alleviation  of  misfor- 
tune and  distress.  March  1,  1807,  a  society  was 
incorporated  by  the  name  of  the  Beverly  Charita- 
ble Society,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  fund  to 
relieve  any  inhabitant  of  the  town  who  from  sickness 
or  misfortune  may  require  assistancef .     It  also  pro- 

*  The  temperance  reform  has  materially  reduced  the  number  of 
persons  supported  by  the  town. 

t  The  corporate  name  of  this  society  has  since  been  changed  to 
the  "Fisher  Charitable  Society." 

16 


182  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

posed  to  aid  the  destitute  widow,  provide  for  the 
helpless  orphan,  and  generally  to  perform  such  acts  of 
charity  and  benevolence  as  its  funds  would  from 
time  to  time  allow,  excluding  from  its  good  offi- 
ces inch  as  were  idle,  prodigal,  intemperate,  or  to 
whom  relief  should  more  properly  come  from  the 
overseers  of  the  poor.  This  society,  from  the  dis- 
tinguished liberality  of  several  gentlemen,  has  a 
considerable  fund.  The  late  Dr.  Fisher  may  be 
considered  as  its  founder.  He  left  a  legacy  of 
$1000,  in  addition  to  $200  presented  it  in  his  life- 
time. The  society  has  distributed  large  sums  in 
charity  since  its  foundation. 

The  Beverly  Female  Charitable  Society  was 
incorporated  April  5th,  1836.  The  members  of  this 
society  have  been  the  active  distributors  of  a  large 
amount  of  property  in  money,  clothing,  and  other 
necessaries  and  comforts.  Formerly,  an  annual  pub- 
lic address  was  delivered  before  the  society,  and  a 
collection  taken  up  in  aid  of  its  funds ;  but  these 
have  for  several  years  past  been  discontinued.  The 
personal  labors  of  several  of  the  ladies  of  this  insti- 
tution, in  visiting,  counselling  and  relieving  the  needy, 
have  been  in  the  true  spirit  of  that  christian  philan- 
thropy which  is  never  weary  in  well-doing. 

The  Female  Seamen's  Friend  Society  was  organ- 
ized in  September,  1832,  and  consists  of  about  one 
hundred  members.  The  object  of  this  society  is  the 
laudable  one  of  promoting  the  comfort  and  improving 
the  moral  and  religious  condition  of  seamen.  The 
means  for  promoting  this  design  are  derived  from  the 
annual  subscription  of  members  and  the  avails  of 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  183 

the  society's  labor  at  its  semi-monthly  meetings. 
Bibles  and  tracts  are  purchased  for  distribution  on 
board  of  vessels  sailing  out  of  this  port,  and  all 
monies  remaining  on  hand  are  annually  paid  over 
to  the  Seamen's  Friend  Society  at  New  York,  for  the 
diflfusion  of  religious  knowledge  among  seamen. 
This  society  may  be  regarded  as  among  the  many 
approved  agencies  for  hastening  the  fulfilment  of  the 
divine  prediction  that  ''  the  abundance  of  the  sea 
shall  be  converted  unto"  the  Most  High. 

The  Home  Seamen's  Friend  Society  was  organized 
March  18th,  1833,  and  numbers  eighty-four  mem- 
bers. The  object  of  this  institution  is  to  relieve 
destitute  seamen  and  their  families,  the  funds  for 
which  are  derived  from  the  annual  subscription  of 
members  and  the  proceeds  of  work  performed  at 
semi-monthly  meetings.  For  several  years  past  an 
annual  address  has  been  delivered  before  the  society, 
and  in  some  instances  a  collection  taken  for  its  bene- 
fit. At  the  time  of  its  organization,  the  society  con- 
sisted exclusively  of  ladies  of  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion, and  was  called  the  Baptist  Seamen's  Friend 
Society ;  but  as  ladies  from  other  denominations 
subsequently  united  with  it,  the  expediency  of  chang- 
ing its  name  was  suggested,  which  was  effected  at 
the  annual  meeting,  Nov.  5th,  1839.  This  society 
has  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  families  of  those 
for  whose  relief  it  was  instituted.  Other  societies  for 
the  relief  of  the  poor  exist,  whose  labors  of  love  and 
works  of  charity  have  gladdened  many  a  desolate 
heart.  Of  the  private  charities  we  can  only  speak 
generally.  There  is  abundant  reason  to  believe  that 
this  mode  of  bestowing  alms  is  practised  to  as  great 


184  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

an  extent  as  can  be  reasonably  expected.  A  wealthy 
individual  of  this  town,  now  resident  in  the  metrop- 
olis, has  at  several  different  times  made  liberal  dona- 
tions that  are  gratefully  remembered ;  and  gifts  by 
other  individuals  are  registered  in  the  recollections  of 
numbers. 

The  Beverly  Mechanic  Association  was  formed 
in  1836.  The  design  of  this  institution  is  "  the 
moral  and  intellectual  improvement  of  its  members, 
and  their  relief  in  distress."  As  yet,  drafts  upon  its 
funds  for  the  last  mentioned  object,  have  been  found 
necessary  in  two  instances  only.  Its  library  is 
gradually  enlarging.  The  funds  of  the  association 
amount  to  $450.  The  present  number  of  members 
is  ninety-two.  Three  dollars  are  required  as  the  fee 
of  membership,  subject  to  an  annual  assessment  of 
one  dollar.  Seven  dollars  will  constitute  a  life 
membership  exempt  from  assessments.  Quarterly 
meetings  of  the  association  are  held,  at  which  sub- 
jects for  discussion  are  presented. 

A  Masonic  Lodge  was  established  here  during  the 
revolutionary  war.  This  was  dissolved,  and  another 
established  under  a  charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Massachusetts,  in  1824. 

The  Beverly  Anti-Slavery  Society  was  formed 
Feb.  21st,  1834,  at  which  time  a  constitution  was 
reported  and  adopted.  The  society  consists  of  one 
hundred  and  twelve  members. 

The  Upper  Beverly  Anti-Slavery  Society  was 
organized  in  1837.     According  to  the  second  article 


HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY.  185 

of  the  constitutionj  ''The  objects  of  this  society  shall 
be,  1st,  the  emancipation  of  the  people  of  color 
from  legal  slavery;  2d,  the  emancipation  of  the 
same  people,  bond  and  free,  from  the  despotism  of  a 
corrupt  public  sentiment." 

Though  slavery  existed  in  Massachusetts  until 
1780,  it  never  assumed  the  objectionable  features  ex- 
hibited in  the  southern  section  of  the  United  States. 
As  a  system,  American  slavery  is  an  unqualified 
evil,  and  its  perpetuity  can  in  no  way  be  reconciled 
with  the  principles  of  a  republican  government. 
The  voice  of  humanity  and  the  law  of  God  demand 
its  abrogation,  and  the  day  is  approaching  when 
every  yoke  will  be  broken  and  the  bond  go  free. 

The  Beverly  Bank  was  incorporated  July  23, 
1802,  the  charter  to  expire  in  1812.  It  has  since 
been  twice  renewed.  The  capital  stock  was  origi- 
nally $160,000.  In  1815,  it  was  reduced  to  $100,- 
000,  and  increased  again,  in  1836,  to  $125,000.  Its 
presidents  have  been  Israel  Thorndike.  Moses 
Brown,  Joshua  Fisher,  William  Leach  and  Pyam 
Lovett,  the  last  of  whom  now  fills  the  ofiRce.  It  has 
had  but  two  cashiers,  Josiah  Gould  and  the  present 
incumbent,  Albert  Thorndike.  This  institution  is 
of  convenience  to  trade,  and  afl^ords  a  safe  invest- 
ment of  capital  to  those  who  do  not  wish  to  manage 
private  loans.  Through  all  the  financial  changes 
and  pressures  of  the  last  eight  years,  it  has  main- 
tained its  integrity  unimpaired,  and  its  aflfairs  are 
conducted  with  great  exactness  and  skill. 

The  Beverly  Marlne  Insurance  Company  was  in- 
corporated in  June,  1809,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000. 
16^ 


180  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

The  charter  was  for  twenty  years,  and  the  com- 
pany expired  with  the  Hmitation,  part  of  the  stock- 
holders being  opposed  to  its  renewal. 


FIRE    DEPARTMENT. 

The  usual  precautions  against  fire  have  been  adopt- 
ed by  this  town.  At  a  town  meeting,  Nov.  17,  1774, 
it  was  voted,  that  if  any  number  of  men,  not  ex- 
ceeding thirty-two,  shall  enter  into  agreement  to  pur- 
chase a  good  fire-engine  and  the  necessary  appara- 
tus, and  contract  to  improve  the  same  for  extinguish- 
ing fires  as  is  customary  in  other  towns,  then  in 
such  case  they  shall  be  excused  from  serving  in  any 
town  office  or  as  juryman.  It  appears  that  this  vote 
was  availed  of,  and  a  fire  company  formed  which 
purchased  an  engine  and  the  necessary  apparatus. 
The  proprietors,  however,  in  1795,  gave  up  their  en- 
gine, engine-house,  hooks,  ladders,  etc.  to  the  town, 
and  also  a  sum  of  money  in  hand,  on  condition  that 
the  town  should  purchase  one  of  the  best  engines 
that  could  be  procured.  May  16th,  1805,  it  was 
voted  to  raise  $1000  for  the  purchase  of  a  new  fire- 
engine,  and  in  1828,  it  was  voted  to  procure  another. 

The  fire  apparatus  now  belonging  to  the  town  con- 
sists of  three  engines,  managed  by  efficient  compa- 
nies, with  the  necessary  appendages  of  hose,  buckets, 
axes,  etc.  One  of  these  is  in  the  second  parish  and 
the  other  two  in  the  first.  Fire-hooks  and  ladders 
are  placed  at  several  convenient  points.  In  addition 
to  these,  the  Union  Fire  Society,  formed  in  1804  for 
the  purpose  of  aiding  each  other  in  case  of  fire,  have 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  187 

ladders,  fire-hooks,  axes  and  sails,  and  each  member 
is  provided  with  two  leather  buckets,  a  large  cloth 
bag,  a  bed- key  and  screw-driver.  This  company- 
has  a  fund  of  about  $1400,  in  addition  to  their  ap- 
paratus. 

Four  cisterns  have  been  built  to  furnish  water  in 
cases  of  fire. 

The  principal  fires  that  have  occurred  in  this  town, 
and  which  have  put  in  requisition  the  important  ser- 
vices of  the  various  fire  associations,  are :  one  that  took 
place  in  1828,  which  consumed  the  brick  factory  in 
the  second  parish  ;  one  on  the  20th  April,  1829,  which 
destroyed  the  barns  of  Robert  Currey  and  Michael 
Whitney,  and  damaged  more  or  less  the  dwellings  of 
Messrs.  Whitney  and  Jeremiah  Lovett,  and  also  a 
barn  near  the  store  of  S.  P.  Lovett ;  one  on  29th  May 
following,  which  consumed  the  dwelling  of  Robert 
Currey,  the  barn  and  store  of  Samuel  P.  Lovett,  with 
part  of  the  goods,  and  the  dwellings  of  Michael 
Whitney  and  Josiah  Raymond ;  one  Dec.  8th,  1832, 
which  burned  to  the  ground  the  Dane-street  meeting- 
house,— the  three  last  of  which  were  supposed  to  be 
the  work  of  incendiaries, — and  one.  May  20th,  1841, 
which  consumed  a  large  store  and  most  of  its  con- 
tents on  Foster's  wharf. 


STREETS. 


The  public  streets,  courts  and  squares,  forty-three 
in  number,  were  named  by  order  of  the  town  in 
1838.  They  are  as  follows  :  Cabot,  Congress,  Water, 
Davis,  Front,  Union,  Bartlett,  Central,  Lovett,  Frank- 


188  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

lin,  Washington,  Hale,  Ellingwood,  Charity,  Cox, 
School,  Biirley  Court,  Lafayette,  Elm,  Wallis,  Fed- 
eral, Essex,  Briscoe,  Church,  Winter,  Knowlton, 
Dane,  Charnock,  Colon,  Elliott,  Mill,  Conant,  Lib- 
erty, Dodge,  Ober,  Lothrop,  Howard,  Thorndike, 
Brown,  Endicott,  Abbot,  Burley,  and  May. 


BURIAL    GROUNDS. 

The  burial  grounds  in  this  town  are  eight  in  num- 
ber, viz.,  three  in  the  first  parish,  two  near  the  sec- 
ond parish  meeting-house,  one  in  Dodge's  row,  one 
at  Rial-side,  and  one  at  the  Farms.  A  traditionary 
account  is,  that  the  first  burying  place  was  at  Wood- 
berry's  Point ;  but  the  oldest  of  which  there  is  any 
record  is  that  near  the  vestry  of  the  first  parish,  in 
which  repose  the  remains  of  the  first  three  settled 
ministers,  Hale,  Blowers  and  Champney.  The  ear- 
hest  dates  decyphered  on  any  of  the  stones  are  1686, 
1678  and  1683,  the  last  of  which  is  over  the  grave  of 
Mrs.  Rebecca,  wife  of  John  Hale.  This  burying 
ground  was  the  only  one  used  within  the  limits  of 
the  first  parish  until  Jan.  1790,  a  period  of  more  than 
one  hundred  years.  In  1684,  John  Green,  of  Rial- 
side,  obtained  liberty  to  bury  his  dead  in  this  ground, 
on  condition  that  he  contributed  towards  the  expense 
of  the  same.  At  the  same  time,  measures  were 
adopted  to  enclose  the  ground.  The  earliest  date 
that  can  be  found  in  the  burying  ground  at  Rial-side 
is  1730.  In  1788,  the  first  parish  purchased  of  Dan- 
iel Adams  a  piece  of  land,  near  the  Common,  for 
burial  purposes ;   and  Jan.  17,  1790,   the  remains  of 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  189 

Widow  Mary  Allen,  aged  71,  were  deposited  there,  in 
the  first  grave.  The  town  burying  ground  on  Hale 
street,  and  adjoining  the  former,  was  laid  out  at  a 
still  later  period,  and  is  now  most  used.  The  bury- 
ing ground  at  the  Farms  was  laid  out  in  1840,  and, 
on  the  24th  of  August,  the  same  year,  it  received 
for  its  first  deposit  the  remains  of  Deacon  David 
Larcom. 

The  first  burial  place  in  the  second  parish  was 
opened  about  1715,  and  the  remains  of  Eleanour,  child 
of  John  Dodge,  Jr.,  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Trask, 
were  among  the  first,  if  not  the  first,  it  received.  The 
most  ancient  stone  is  at  the  grave  of  Joseph  Herrick, 
and  bears  date  Feb.  14,  1717-18.  The  graves  of 
Mr.  Chipman,  his  two  wives  and  his  daughter  Sarah, 
are  in  the  south-western  corner,  shaded  by  a  beauti- 
ful oak  ;  but  time  has  been  busy  with  the  grave- 
stones, and  unless  some  "  Old  Mortality"  soon  exer- 
cises his  friendly  office,  few  inscriptions  that  can  be 
decyphered  will  remain.  The  second  ground,  ad- 
joining the  second  parish  meeting-house,  was  laid 
out  in  1803,  and  now  contains  upwards  of  three 
hundred  graves.  A  tomb  was  built  here  in  1806,  by 
Joseph  Chipman,  son  of  the  first  minister,  and  an- 
other in  1836,  by  William  Friend.  The  wife  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Fairfield  was  the  first  person  buried  in 
this  ground.  In  the  burial  grounds  of  the  south 
parish  are  several  tombs  and  handsome  monuments. 

Among  the  places  of  painful  interest,  the  village 
grave-yard  will  always  be  conspicuous.  It  speaks 
in  solemn  tones  of  man's  mortality, — of  withered 
hopes,  and  of  plans  unfinished.  Here  lies  the  infant 
pledge  of  love,  "  plucked  like  a  bud  from  its  parent 
stem,  to  bloom  a  sweeter  flower  in  a  fairer  clime  ;" 


190  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

and  close  by  its  side,  the  child  of  many  prayers, 
whose  early  promise  death  has  prematurely  blasted, 
piercing  the  parental  heart  with  sorrows  which  only 
parents  know.  Here  repose  the  ashes  of  lover  and 
friend,  of  simple  and  lettered,  of  poverty  and  wealth, 
alike  to  rise  in  the  resurrection  morn.  It  is  instruc- 
tive to  walk  amidst  the  congregation  of  the  dead, 
and  meditate  on  life's  mutations  and  ambition's  end. 


"The  very  tarf  beneath  our  feet  seems  bent  in  silent  prayer, 
The  trees  to  lift  their  green  boughs  up,  and  ask  a  father's  care ; 
And  though  the  flowers  may  fade  and  fall,  we  mourn  them  not  in  vain, 
They  tell  us  that  thus  we  must  die,  and  thus  shall  live  again." 


Here,  too,  the  chord  that  binds  the  soul  to  kindred 
and  home,  is  drawn  still  closer  round  the  affections. 
We  sadden  at  the  thought  of  dying  among  strangers, 
with  no  friendly  voice  to  speak  to  us  the  consolations 
of  religion,  nor  friendly  hand  to  close  our  eyes  and 
perform  the  last  offices  of  the  living  to  our  lifeless 
clay.  And  when  the  possibility  of  such  an  event  is 
suggested  by  busy  fancy,  our  prayer  ascends  to  the 
Author  of  being  that  our  grave  may  be  made  in  the 
midst  of  kindred  and  friends,  by  whom  our  memory 
will  be  cherished  when  our  dust  is  blended  with  the 
earth  whence  it  sprang. 

It  is  consonant  with  pious  sentiment  and  pure  af- 
fection, to  build  the  mausoleum  and  erect  the  column 
over  the  remains  of  departed  worth ;  and  even  the 
simple  head-stone,  with  its  brief  epitaph,  is  a  memen- 
to of  friendship  that  speaks  favorably  for  civilized 
man.  Other  methods,  however,  than  these  may  be 
adopted  for  giving  utterance  to  affection's  language. 
At  trifling  cost,  trees  may  be  planted  in  every  village 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  191 

grave-yard,  which  in  a  few  years  will  become  beau- 
tiful groves;  and  though  these  may  be  less  attractive 
than  a  Pere  la  Chaise  or  a  Mount  Auburn,  they^will, 
nevertheless,  increase  the  sacredness  of  the  "  field  of 
graves,"  and  impart  a  chastened  cheerfulness  to 
places  so  fruitful  of  melancholy  associations. 


COMMON    LANDS. 

^'  Beverly  Commons  "  consisted  of  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres,  in  seven  distinct  tracts.  The 
largest  of  these  tracts  was  that  known  as  the  Sheep- 
pasture,  containing  1013  acres.  The  others  are  des- 
ignated as  Mackerel  Cove,  Rubly  Hill,  Cedar  Swamp, 
Burnt  Hill,  Snake  Hill  and  Bald  Hill  pastures. 

In  1670,  the  town  "  voted  that  there  shall  not  be 
any  of  the  town's  land  lying  in  common,  disposed  of 
upon  any  account,  but  by  consent  of  the  whole  at  a 
general  town  meeting,  legally  warned ;  and  it  was 
also  voted,  for  preventing  the  dividing  of  the  same, 
that  they  shall  abide  in  common  as  they  now  are, 
and  not  be  divided  without  the  consent  of  the  whole, 
by  general  town  meeting  legally  warned.  If  six 
considerable  men  in  the  town  oppose  the  division,  it 
shall  not  be  granted." 

It  appears  that  the  town  and  "  commoners,"  or  pro- 
prietors of  grants,  held  a  divided  jurisdiction  over 
these  lands,  which  it  is  now  difficult  to  reconcile. 
These  latter  held  separate  meetings,  the  records  of 
which,  from  1698-9  to  1750,  are  in  the  town  clerk's 
office.  The  town  having  disposed  of  several  parcels 
of  the  common  lands  by  grants  and  exchange,  the 


192  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

commoners,  at  a  meeting,  May  4,  1714,  confirmed 
the  titles  to  prevent  "  disturbance  amongst  friends." 
In  1716,  the  common  lands  were  divided  into  stints 
or  rights  of  six  acres  each  ;  ten  of  which  were  set 
apart  for  the  use  of  the  poor — two  for  the  ministry  in 
the  first,  and  one  for  the  ministry  in  the  second  par- 
ish. An  assignment  of  rights  was  also  made  to 
individuals  on  the  following  principles,  viz :  One 
right  each  to  freeholders  of  a  cottage  or  house  erected 
in  or  before  1661,  and  standing  and  inhabited  in  June, 
1715  ;  to  freeholders  whose  house  was  erected  or 
standing  and  inhabited  in  1668 ;  and  to  freeholders 
of  all  other  dwellings  standing  in  1699,  erected  sub- 
sequent to  1661,  and  not  in  succession  to  any  of  the 
former  between  1668  and  1699.  Other  rights  were 
granted  upon  distinct  grounds,  but  the  rocks  were  to 
remain  free  for  the  use  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  forever.  The  separate  pastures  into  which  the 
commons  were  divided,  were  afterwards  managed  as 
separate  fields  by  the  proprietors  of  each.  The 
records  of  Snake-hill  propriety,  commencing  in  1728 
and  continued  about  sixty  years,  are  extant.  Most 
of  the  common  lands  are  now  private  property. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  representatives  from 
this  town  in  General  Court,  from  1672  till  1842. 
Until  1693  they  were  styled  '•  deputies." 

Thomas  Lothrop  (4  years),  John  Dodge,  John 
West,  Paul  Thorndike,  William  Dodge,  Exercise 
Conant  (2  y,),   William   Rayment,  Thomas   West, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  193 

Andrew  Elliot  (5  y.),  Peter  Woodberry,  John  Dodge 
(3  y.),  Samuel  Balch  (14  y.),  Isaac  Woodberry  (2  y.), 
Robert  Hale,  sen.,  John  Balch  (3  y.),  Joseph  Herrick 
(4  y.),  Robert  Briscoe,  John  Thorndike,  Jonathan 
Rayment  (2  y.),  Robert  Woodberry  (2  y.),  Andrew- 
Dodge  (2  y.),  Henry  Herrick  (24  y.),  Robert  Hale, 
jr.  (16  y.),  Daniel  Conant  (2  y.),  John  Leach,  Josiah 
Batchelder,  jr.  (6y.),  Jonathan  Conant  (2  y.),  Nich- 
olas Thorndike,  Larkin  Thorndike  (7  y.),  Nathan 
Dane  (4  y.),  Joseph  Wood  (17  y.),  Israel  Thorn- 
dike (6  y.),  John  Cabot,  Moses  Brown  (3  y.),  John 
Stephens  (2  y.),  James  Burnham  (2  y.),  Abner  Chap- 
man (11  y.),  Thomas  Davis  (15  y.),  Thomas  Ste- 
phens (4  y.),  Robert  Rantoul  (20  y.),  Isaac  Rea  (5  y.), 
Nathaniel  Goodwin  (7  y.),  Nicholas  Thorndike  (4  y.), 
Josiah  Lovett  (3  y.),  Oliver  Obear  (4  y.),  William 
Thorndike  (2  y.),  Henry  Larcom  (4  y.),  Amos  Shel- 
den  (2  y.),  John  Safford  (4  y.),  Jesse  Shelden.  Nehe- 
miah  Roundy  (3  y.),  Cotton  Bennett  (3  y.),  John 
Conant  (2  y.),  Stephen  Nourse  (2  y.),  Pyam  Lovett, 
David  Larcom,  Ezra  Dodge,  Daniel  Cross,  Jonathan 
Batchelder,  Edwin  M.  Stone  (2  y.),  Thomas  B. 
Smith  (2  y.),  William  Lamson  (2  y.),  John  I.  Baker, 
Edward  Stone,  John  Pickett. 


STOCKS. 


In  the  early  period  of  the  colony,  stocks  and  the 
whipping-post  were  considered  as  essential  appurte- 
nances of  a  village  as  the  schoolhouse  and  tavern ; 
and  to  dignify  them  in  the  eyes  of  peaceable  citizens 
probably,  (for  no  other  reason  is  readily  suggested,) 
17 


194  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

and  to  give  a  sacred  character,  perhaps,  to  the  tor- 
ture inflicted,  they  were  usually  set  up  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  meeting-house.  Here,  offenders  were  ex- 
posed to  the  jeers  and  rude  assaults  of  a  thoughtless 
rabble,  or  subjected  to  a  discipline  peculiar  now  to 
the  army  and  navy,  and  eminently  calculated  to 
harden  the  transgressor  and  extinguish  the  last  emo- 
tion of  manliness  glowing  in  his  breast.  Such  were 
the  Spirit  and  practice  of  the  times  ;  and  it  is  no  re- 
flection upon  the  natural  kindness  of  the  inhabitants 
to  say  that,  in  harmony  with  common  opinion  and 
common  custom,  which  is  common  law,  Beverly  was 
very  early  furnished  with  these  ancient  auxiliaries  to 
justice,  which  was  sometimes  summarily  adminis- 
tered. In  those  times  a  magistrate  might,  upon  view 
of  an  offence,  proceed  at  once  to  convict  and  punish, 
— an  exercise  of  power  not  always  tempered  with 
mercy.  An  anecdote  is  related  of  a  good  justice  of 
the  peace,  which  shows,  that  tenacity  for  every  "jot 
and  tittle"  of  the  law  did  not  necessarily  banish 
from  the  heart  the  spirit  of  hospitality.  "On  a 
severe  cold  night  in  winter,  a  traveller  came  to  his 
house  for  shelter  and  refreshment.  The  ready  hos- 
pitahty  of  the  justice  was  about  being  displayed, 
when  the  traveller  unluckily  uttered  a  word  which 
his  host  considered  profane.  Upon  this  he  informed 
his  guest  that  he  was  a  magistrate,  pointed  out  the 
nature  of  the  offence,  and  explained  the  necessity  of 
its  being  expiated  by  sitting  an  hour  in  the  stocks  ! 
Remonstrance  was  unavailing.  Cold  as  it  was,  the 
justice,  aided  by  his  son,  conducted  the  traveller  to 
the  place  of  punishment.  Here  he  was  confined  in 
the  usual  mode,  the  benevolent  executor  of  the  law 
remaining  with  him  to  beguile  the  time  of  its  tedium 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  195 

by  edifying  conversation.  At  the  expiration  of  the 
hour,  he  was  re-conducted  to  the  house,  and  hospita- 
bly entertained  till  the  next  morning,  when  he  de- 
parted with  a  determination,  doubtless,  to  consider 
his  words  more  carefully  before  giving  them  utter- 
ance in  the  hearing  of  a  conscientious  magistrate." 
It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that  these  relics  of  a 
barbarous  age  have  long  since  disappeared. 


The  diseases  most  prevalent  in  this  town,  are  con- 
sumption, fevers  and  dysentery. 

'J'he  average  number  of  deaths,  annually,  is  about 
one  in  70  of  the  population.  From  1772  to  1781,  a 
period  of  nine  years,  the  number  of  deaths  recorded 
by  Mr.  Willard,  in  the  first  parish,  was  390,  averag- 
ing 43  and  a  fraction  annually,  for  that  part  of  the 
town.  But  this  included  most  of  the  revolutionary 
"War,  and  was  a  period  of  extraordinary  destruction 
of  human  life.  The  deaths  recorded  by  Mr.  Mc- 
Kean,  from  1782  to  1801,  a  period  of  twenty  years, 
were  956,  or  47  15-20  per  year,  for  the  first  parish. 
In  this  estimate  are  included  149  occasioned  by  an 
epidemic  in  1795  and  1796.  The  average  number 
of  deaths  in  the  first  society  for  twenty  years  pre- 
ceding Jan.  1,  1824,  was  42  per  year. 

The  deaths  in  the  second  parish,  recorded  by  Mr. 
Chipman.  from  1715  to  1769  inclusive,  a  period  of 
nearly  fifty-five  years,  are  631,  averaging  a  fraction 
over  eleven  per  year.  The  annual  deaths  during 
Mr.  Chipman's  ministry,  varied  from  six,  the  small- 


196  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

est  number,  to  thirty-eight,  the  largest,  which  occur- 
red in  1737,  when  the  scarlet  fever  and  throat  dis- 
temper prevailed.  From  1801  to  1812,  inclusive,  the 
deaths  were  137,  or  11  5-12  per  year.  Of  this  num- 
ber, 16  were  between  the  ages  of  60  and  70,  eight 
between  70  and  80,  nine  between  80  and  90,  one 
aged  92,  and  one  99  1-4.  The  number  of  deaths  for 
ten  years  ending  Jan.  1,  1840,  is  92,  averaging  9  2-10 
per  year,  showing  a  decrease  of  more  than  two  per 
cent.  This  improvement  in  the  health  of  the  second , 
parish,  is  to  be  attributed  in  part  to  a  more  strict 
regard  to  the  laws  of  the  physical  constitution,  and 
the  improvement  of  low,  wet  lands-. 

The  deaths  in  the  whole  town  in  1818  and  '19, 
exclusive  of  deaths  abroad,  were  127,  of  which  30 
were  fever,  26  consumption,  and  19  dysentery.  In 
1820  the  deaths  were  60,  of  which  11  were  con- 
sumption and  9  fever.  In  1827  the  deaths  were  67 
at  home,  and  9  abroad.  Few  towns  in  the  Com- 
monwealth, of  the  same  population,  can  exhibit 
more  numerous  instances  of  longevity.  The  whole 
number  of  deaths  in  the  first  parish  for  the  ten  years 
ending  Jan.  27th,  1840,  was  213,  of  which  124,  or 
nearly  one  half,  were  persons  between  50  and  97 
years.  Mr.  James  Woodberry,  of  Beverly  Farms, 
who  died  in  1842,  aged  88  years  and  8  months,  was 
the  oldest  man  in  town  at  his  decease,  and  of  a  fam- 
ily remarkable  for  longevity.  Two  sisters  survived 
him,  one  aged  85  and  the  other  87.  Both  his  father 
and  mother  died  at  86.  His  widow  is  72 ;  and  her 
mother,  Mrs.  Appleton,  is  still  living  at  the  advanced 
age  of  102.  Mrs.  W.'s  father,  at  his  death,  was  90, 
and  her  grandmother  92.     The  united  age  of  ten  of 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  197 

the  family  amount  to  866  years,  and  their  average 
is  S6. 

The  average  number  of  marriages  in  this  town 
per  annum,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  is  33 — births, 
132. 


It  is  impossible  to  ascertain  with  entire  accuracy, 
the  population  of  this  town  at  early  periods  of  its 
settlement.  Still,  from  careful  calculations  that  have 
been  made,  the  number  of  inhabitants  at  the  time 
the  town  was  incorporated  in  1668,  may  be  estimated 
at  six  hundred.  The  population  in  1708,  was  one 
thousand  six  hundred  eighty,  and  in  1753,  it  had 
increased  to  two  thousand  and  twenty-three.  The 
following  census,  taken  by  authority,  exhibits  with 
exactness  the  population  at  subsequent  periods  : 

1765,  including  80  blacks,    2163, 
1790,  3290, 

1800,  3881, 

1810,  including  61  negroes,  4333, 
1820,  4283, 

1830,  4231,    excess  of  females,  213. 

By  the  census  of  1840,  the  entire  population,  in- 
cluding twenty-three  colored  persons,  is  four  thous- 
and six  hundred  eighty-nine.  White  males  two 
thousand  two  hundred  forty-seven — females  two 
thousand  four  hundred  nineteen.  Excess  of  females 
one  hundred  seventy-two.  Number  of  families,  one 
thousand  sixty-six.  Average  number  in  a  family, 
a  fraction  less  than  five.  Number  of  polls,  one 
17=* 


198 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 


thousand  one  hundred  sixty-nine,  of  which  seventy- 
six  are  not  taxable.  Number  of  revolutionary  pen- 
sioners, ten,  four  of  whom  are  females. 

Persons  under  5  years,     323   males — 285  females, 


5  and  under  10 

C( 

284 

272 

10  " 

(i 

15 

tl 

240 

197 

15  " 

a 

20 

tc 

204 

250 

20  " 

11 

30 

CI 

394 

409 

30  " 

u 

40 

a 

326 

333 

40  " 

(( 

50 

ic 

182 

222 

50  " 

(( 

60 

li 

140 

183 

60  " 

(( 

70 

cc 

94 

150 

70  " 

(( 

80 

{< 

42 

82 

80  " 

11 

90 

(I 

18 

33 

90  " 

11 

100 

t( 

00 

2 

100 

00 

1 

The  population  in  the  second  parish  is  about 
seven  hundred  and  thirty.  The  number  of  dwellings 
in  the  town  at  different  periods  is  shown  by  the  fol- 
lowing table  : 


In  1753  there  were  289, 


1765 
1786 
1790 
1800 
1811 
1831 
1840 


307, 

308,— shops  51— barns  235, 

422, 

460, 

476, — shops  and  warehouses  80, 

519, — shops,  warehouses  and  stores  146- 

585  barns  345. 


AGRICULTURE. 


A  CONSIDERABLE  portiou  of  this  town  is  essentially 
agricultural.     There  are  many  excellent  farms,  pro- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  199 

ducing  abundant  crops  of  hay,  corn,  rye,  oats,  bar- 
ley, potatoes,  beans  and  other  vegetables.  Much 
swamp  land  has  been  reclaimed  and  rendered  valua- 
ble, by  draining  and  other  processes.  The  events 
of  the  few  past  years,  illustrating  the  superior  safety 
of  investments  in  real  estate,  have  not  been  lost  upon 
this  community,  as  is  manifested  by  an  increased 
attention  to  this  vitally  important  branch  of  in- 
dustry. 

The  whole  number  of  acres  of  land  in  this  town, 
is  between  nine  and  ten  thousand. 

Of  stock  and  products,  the  valuation  of  1767  re- 
turned 164  horses,  143  oxen,  741  cows,  1099  sheep, 
37  swine,  5S63  tons  English  hay,  367|^  tons  meadow 
hay,  93  tons  salt  do.,  10,728  bushels  grain,  821  bar- 
rels cider. 

The  valuation  of  1786  returned  164  horses,  164 
oxen,  639  cows,  900  sheep,  260  swine,  261  barrels 
cider.  It  also  returned  674J  acres  of  tillage,  1170 
acres  English  mowing,  696  do.  fresh  meadow,  102 
do.  salt  marsh,  3746|  do.  pasturage,  156  do.  wood- 
land, 355  do.  unimproved,  1009  do.  unimprovable. 

The  valuation  of  1840  returned  217  horses,  440 
oxen,  512  cows,  41  steers  and  heifers,  180  sheep, 
900  swine,  754S  acres  tillage,  2014  do.  English 
mowing,  302J  do.  fresh  meadow,  5o  do.  salt  marsh, 
3271  do.  pasturage,  64  cow  rights,  728  acres  wood- 
land, 814  do.  unimproved,  5  do.  owned  by  the  town, 
to  which  may  be  added,  560  do.  unimprovable,  227 
do.  used  for  roads,  and  306  do.  covered  with  water. 

There  were  raised  the  same  year,  20,560  bushels 
potatoes,  10,427  bushels  corn,  2666  bushels  barley, 
1240  bushels  oats,  821  bushels,  rye,  and  100  bushels 
wheat.     Of  hay,  4050  tons  were  cut.     The  value  of 


200  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

dairy  products  was  ^20,000,  orchards  $3000.  market 
gardens  $2800,  poultry  $1000.  Five  hundred  cords 
of  wood  were  cut  and  sold. 

An  increasing  attention  is  paid  to  horticulture  and 
the  cultivation  of  fruits. 


VALUATION,  MANUFACTURES,  COMMERCE,  &C. 

The  valuation  of  Beverly  in  181 1 ,  was  $822,908  66 ; 
in  1821,  $853,079  33;  in  1831,  $973,029  06;  in  1840, 
$1,306,509. 

The  manufactures  amount  annually  in  value  to 
about  $120,000,  from  a  capital  invested  of  about 
$40,000,  and  giving  employment  to  nearly  five  hun- 
dred persons.  They  consist  of  boots,  shoes,  cabinet 
ware  and  chairs,  Britannia^  and  tin  ware,  bricks, 
hair,  mustard,  soap  and  candles. 

The  foreign  and  domestic  imports  for  1787  were 
£13,667.7.11 ;  for  1788,  £13,663.7.8S  Among  the 
exports  for  1787,  were  1517  tierces  fish,  1364  quin- 
tals do.,  696  hhds.  do.,  32  boxes  do.,  68  bbls.  pick- 
led do.,  112  bbls.  mackerel,  700  bushels  corn,  116 
bbls.  potatoes,  370  bushels  do.,  8000  bunches  onions, 
1000  lbs.  cheese,  17  bbls.  cranberries. 

The  vessels  employed  in  1786  were  sixty  in  num- 
ber, with  492  men.  Of  these,  nineteen  were  in  the  West 
India  trade.  In  1787,  sixty-nine  vessels,  with  408 
men  were  employed,  viz  :  1  ship,  5  brigs,  5  sloops, 
31  fishing  schooners,  and  17  trading  do.  In  1788, 
there  were  thirty-two  fishing  vessels,  employing  271 

*  The  manufacture  of  Britannia  ware  in  this  country  was  com- 
menced lathis  town,  in  1812,  by  Mr.  Israel  Xrask. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  201 

men.  The  whole  number  of  vessels  at  present  em- 
ployed in  the  fishing,  coasting,  freighting  and  foreign 
trade,  is  78,  investing  a  capital  of  $160,000,  and 
employing  between  four  and  five  hundred  men. 

From  the  commencement  of  the  war  in  Europe, 
consequent  upon  the  French  revolution  of  1789.  until 
1807,  the  cod-fishery  was  prosecuted  with  great  suc- 
cess and  large  pecuniary  profit.  The  embargo  which 
began  in  December  of  the  year  1807,  and  closed  in 
the  spring  of  1809,  entirely  prostrated  this  business. 
It  was  resumed  in  a  degree  in  the  course  of  the  year 
last  named,  and  continued  till  the  war  of  1812, 
when  it  was  again  interrupted  for  the  space  of  three 
whole  seasons.  After  the  peace  of  1815,  the  busi- 
ness revived,  and  has  been  continued  with  a  success 
depending  on  the  discoimts  of  the  "Grand"  and 
other  banks  of  the  Atlantic. 

Much  of  the  fish  cured  in  this  town  was  formerly 
shipped  to  Spain  and  other  catholic  countries  of 
Europe.  At  present,  they  find  their  way  mostly  to 
South  America,  the  West  Indies,  and  the  valley  of 
the  Mississippi.  Throughout  the  State,  fish  has  in 
times  past  been  a  standing  dish  for  Saturdays.  The 
custom  of  dining  on  fish  on  Saturday  rather  than  on 
Friday,  originated  in  a  desire  of  our  ancestors  to 
avoid  the  remotest  approximation  to  the  observances 
of  the  catholics,  who,  during  lent  and  other  fasts, 
substituted  this  article  of  food  for  meat. 

The  wharves  are  twelve  in  number,  which,  with 
sixteen  stores  thereon,  are  valued  at  $30,000  to 
$40,000.  The  annual  importation  and  sale  of  eastern 
wood  amounts  to  about  3000  cords  ;  coal,  250  tons  ; 
and  lumber,  700,000  feet,  forming  an  aggregate  value 
of  $27,500. 


202  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

There  are,  in  the  first  parish,  ten  groceries,  six  dry- 
goods  stores, — in  two  of  which  drugs  and  medicines 
are  sold, — five  tailors,  two  milliners,  three  hardware 
stores,  thi;ee  shoe  stores,  one  pubUc-house,  three 
block-tin  manufacturers,  one  lawyer's  office,  one 
watchmaker,  one  barber,  three  wheelwrights,  three 
blacksmith's  and  two  cooper's  shops,  three  hair  man- 
ufactories, two  sailmakers,  one  ropewalk,  one  pump 
and  block  maker,  one  mustard  factory,  one  hatter, 
one  tinplate  worker,  two  cabinet-makers,  one  steam 
saw-mill,  one  soap  and  candle  factory,  three  painters 
and  glaziers,  one  trunk  and  harness  maker,  one  pro- 
vision store,  and  several  carpenter's  shops.  There 
is  also  a  patent  balance  for  weighing  hay  and  other 
heavy  loads,  the  property  of  the  Fisher  Charitable 
Society,  -and  a  post-office,  at  which  several  mails  are 
daily  received. 

In  the  second  parish  are  two  stores,  two  black- 
smith's and  three  wheelwright's  shops,  five  slaughter- 
houses, three  grist-mills,  one  saw-mill,  one  carding- 
machine,  and  three  brick-yards.  The  tanning  busi- 
ness was  early  commenced  in  this  part  of  the  town, 
but  was  many  years  since  abandoned. 

The  facilities  for  communicating  with  Boston  have 
been  greatly  increased  by  the  opening  of  the  Eastern 
rail-road.  By  an  existing  arrangement,  the  metrop- 
olis may  be  visited  at  six  different  hours  daily,  and 
four  trains  pass  through  town  daily  to  and  from 
the  east.  Beverly  is  favored  with  one  of  the  safest 
and  most  commodious  harbors  in  New  England,  with 
a  depth  of  water  sufficient  to  bring  vessels  of  the 
largest  class  directly  to  the  wharves.  During  the 
residence  of  the  late  William  Gray,  Esq.,  in  Salem, 
many  of  his  vessels,  engaged  in  the  indirect  European 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 


20b 


trade,  were  unloaded  here.  The  natural  advantages 
of  this  town  for  the  prosecution  of  commerce  and 
manufactures,  are  not  surpassed  by  any  coast  town 
in  the  Commonwealth. 


(From  a  point  near  the  south  end  of  Essex  Bridge.) 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY. 


THE    FIRST   PARISH. 

From  the  settlement  of  Beverly  until  1649,  the 
inhabitants  worshipped  with  the  first  church  in  Salem. 
As  population  increased,  the  inconvenience  of  cross- 
ing the  river  in  boats  suggested  the  expediency  of 
establishing  a  separate  church.  A  request  to  that 
effect  was  made  to  the  Salem  church — but  for  various 
reasons  the  plan  did  not  meet  with  favorable  atten- 
tion. On  the  22d  of  the  seventh  month  (September,) 
1650,  the  request  was  renewed,  and  on  the  second 
day  of  the  month  following,  an  answer  was  returned 
authorizing  the  brethren  on  "Bass-river-side"  to 
procure  the  service  of  an  able  and  approved  teacher — 
still  retaining  their  connexion  with  the  church  in 
Salem.  With  this  liberty  they  successively  employ- 
ed Messrs.  Josiah  and  Jeremiah  Hubbard^^'  and  Mr. 
John  Hale. 

*  In  the  town  records  this  name  is  uniformly  written  Hubbard. 
The  catalogue  of  Harvard  College  has  it  Hobart.  A  note  in  Mass. 
Hist.  Coll.  says  it  should  be  so  written.  Joshua  and  Jeremiah  Ho- 
bart were  sons  of  Rev.  Peter  Hobart,  of  Hingham.  Joshua  settled 
in  the  ministry  at  Southhold,  L.  I.  Jeremiah  was  minister  of  Tops- 
field,  and  afterwards  of  Haddam,  Conn.  He  was  grandfather  to 
Rev.  David  Brainard,  the  distinguished  missionary. 


HISTORY    OF   BEVERLY.  205 

In  1656,  the  first  meeting-house  was  erected  near 
the  north-west  corner  of  the  old  burial-ground.  Of 
this  building  there  is  -no  account  other  than  that,  in 
addition  to  religious  services  it  was  used  for  the  trans- 
action of  public  business  and  for  a  school-room.  A 
church  organization  was  still  wanting  to  give  stabili- 
ty to  the  pastoral  relation,  and  in  the  winter  of  1666, 
the  following  petition  was  presented  to  the  church  in 
Salem : 

•'  We,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  the  brethren 
and  sisters  on  Bass-river-side,  do  present  our  desires 
to  the  rest  of  the  church  in  Salem,  that  with  their 
consent,  we  and  our  children  may  be  a  church  of 
ourselves,  which  we  also  present  unto  Mr.  Hale, 
desiring  him  to  join  with  us.  and  to  be  our  pastor, 
with  the  approbation  of  the  rest  of  the  church." 
Signed  by  Roger  Conant  and  forty-eight  church 
members,  to  which  were  added  the  names  of  twenty- 
four  others  not  in  full  communion,  but  desiring  to  be 
dismissed  with  their  parents.  This  petition  was  re- 
ceived with  the  deliberation  its  importance  demanded, 
•'  and  the  last  of  the  12th  month,  by  the  consent  of 
the  brethren  both  on  that  side  of  the  river  and  here 
at  the  town,  was  publicly  observed  as  a  day  of  sol- 
emn fasting  and  prayer,  to  seek  unto  God  for  his 
direction  and  presence  in  such  a  weighty  matter."=^ 
On  the  4th  of  July,  1667,  the  subject  of  the  petition 
was  again  considered ;  "  when  there  was  a  unanimous 
consent  of  the  brethren  present  unto  their  desire, 
only  it  was  left  to  the  sacrament  day  after  [July  21st] 
when  in  the  fullest  church  assembly  the  consent  of 
the  rest  of  the  church  was  signified  by  their  vole, — 

*  Salem  Church  Records. 
18 


206  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

lifting  up  their  hands, — and  so  they  have  their  liberty 
to  be  a  church  of  themselves,  only  they  continue 
members  until  their  being  a  church."  This  permis- 
sion closes  with  the  benediction  :  "  The  Lord  grant 
his  gracious  presence  with  them." 

With  this  unanimous  consent,  the  brethren,  on  the 
28th  August  following,  renewed  their  call  to  Mr. 
Hale  to  become  their  pastor,  to  which  he  made  the 
following  reply : 

"  When  I  look  at  the  weight  of  the  work  which 
you  call  me  unto,  of  which  Paul  cried  out,  Who  is 
sufficient  unto  these  things?  I  then  looking  upon  my 
manifold  infirmities  and  indisposition  of  spirit,  then 
unto  so  many  discouragements;  but  when  I  duly  con- 
sider the  Lord's  sovereignty  over  me,  and  all-suffi- 
ciency for  my  support,  I  desire,  when  I  see  his  work 
and  call,  to  say  with  Isaiah,  '  Here  I  am,  send  me.' 
And  in  particular  when  I  observe  the  remarkable 
providences  of  God  in  bringing  me  hither  and  paving 
out  our  way  hitherto,  and  the  room  the  Lord  hath 
made  for  me  in  your  hearts,  (which  I  acknowledge 
with  thankfulness  to  God  and  yourselves,)  I  also  look 
at  the  call  of  God  in  the  present  call,  as  a  call  to  me  ; 
being  the  more  confirmed  herein  by  the  concurrence 
of  our  apprehensions  which  hath  appeared  in  those 
things  we  had  occasion  to  confer  about,  concerning 
our  entering  into  and  proceeding  with  church  afl^airs, 
which  I  hope  the  Lord  will  enable  me  to  practise 
accordingly  ;  wherefore,  while  you  walk  according 
to  God's  order  of  the  gospel  and  in  the  steadfastness 
of  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  I  see  that  with  a  good 
conscience  and  freedom  of  spirit,  I  can  carry  on  my 
work,  and  discharge  my  duty  to  God  and  man,  and 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  207 

these  that  are  under  my  care,  according  to  the  respec- 
tive relation  I  may  bear  unto  them,  so  long  as  the 
Lord  is  calling  me  to  labor  in  this  part  of  his  vine- 
yard, I  desire  to  give  up  myself  to  the  Lord  and  his 
service  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  this  place ;  re- 
questing you  to  strive  together  with  me  in  your 
prayers  for  me,  that  it  may  redound  to  his  glory,  the 
edifying  of  every  soul  that  shall  dwell  amongst  us, 
and  for  our  joyful  account  in  the  day  of  Christ's  ap- 
pearance. 

By  me,  John  Hale." 

The  20th  September  was  set  apart  for  the  inter- 
esting and  impressive  service  of  ordination,  an  event, 
the  infrequency  of  which,  at  that  early  period,  must 
have  rendered  it  peculiarly  attractive.  Invitations 
were  sent  to  the  churches  of  Salem,  Ipswich  and 
Wenham,  to  assist,  by  their  pastors  and  messengers, 
on  the  occasion,  which  were  cordially  accepted.  The 
Salem  church,  in  the  free  spirit  that  granted  unani- 
mous leave  for  separate  organization,  was  largely 
represented.  "In  regard,"  the  records  say,  "  to  our 
nearness,  and  that  they  are  a  church  issuing  out  of 
ourselves,  it  was  thought  meet  for  as  many  to  be 
present  as  could,  so  when  the  day  came,  divers  of 
the  brethren  were  present."  Previously  to  the  so- 
lemnities of  ordination,  the  church  was  organized. 
Mr.  Hale  "propounded  and  read  a  confession  of 
faith  and  covenant  which  they  had  often  considered 
amongst  themselves,  and  did  then  (all  that  had  been 
in  full  communion  in  the  church  of  Salem,)  express 
their  consent  unto  that  confession  and  covenant,  and 
so  were  owned  as  a  particular  and  distinct  church  of 
themselves,  by  the  messengers  of  the  churches  pres- 


208  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

ent."  The  names  of  those  who  were  formed  into  a 
church  on  this  occasion,  are  as  follows  :  John  Hale, 
Richard  Dodge,  sen.  William  Woodberry,  sen.  Rich- 
ard Brackenbury,  John  Stone,  sen.  John  Dodge,  sen. 
Roger  Conant,  William  Dodge,  sen.  Humphrey 
Woodberry,  sen.  Hugh  Woodberry,  Nicholas  Patch, 
John  Hill,  Thomas  Lothrop,  Samuel  Coming,  Rob- 
ert Morgan,  John  Black,  sen.  Lot  Conant,  Ralph  El- 
lingwood,  William  Dixey,  Henry  Herrick,  sen.  Peter 
Woolfe,  Josiah  Rootes,  sen.  Exercise  Conant,  Ed- 
ward Bishop,  Ehzabeth  Dodge,  Mary  Lovett,  Eliza- 
beth Haskell,  Mary  Woodberry,  Sarah  Leach,  Free- 
grace  Black,  Elizabeth  Corning,  Elizabeth  Wood- 
berry, Ellen  Brackenbury,  Hannah  Woodberry, 
Elizabeth  Patch,  Hannah  Sallows,  Bethiah  Lothrop, 
Anna  Dixey,  Anna  Woodberry,  sen.  Elizabeth  Wood- 
berry, Martha  Woolfe,  Hannah  Baker.  Mary  Her- 
rick, Bridget  Luff,  Mary  Dodge,  sen.  Anna  Wood- 
berry, jr.  Ede  Herrick,  Mary  Dodge,  jr.  Abigail  Hill, 
Lydia  Herrick. 

The  services  of  induction  to  the  sacred  office  of 
the  ministry  then  proceeded,  "  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Higginson,  of  the  church 
of  Salem,  of  Mr.  Thomas  Cobbett,  pastor  at  Ipswich, 
and  of  Mr.  Antipas  Newman,  of  Wenham;"  and 
thus  Mr.  Hale  received  fellowship,  and  was  publicly 
recognized  as  pastor  of  "  the  church  of  Christ  at 
Bass  river,  in  Salem." 

On  the  22d  September,  Mrs.  Rebeckah  Hale  vv^as 
received  to  the  church,  on  letters  of  dismission  from 
the  church  at  Salisbury  ;  and  on  the  29th  of  the  same 
month,  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  was  for 
the  first  time  administered,  on  which  occasion  Mr. 
Hale  explained  the  requisitions  for  admission   to  the 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  209 

ordinance.  It  was,  doubtless,  a  season  of  uncom- 
nrion  delight  to  all  who  participated  in  this  beautiful 
and  affecting  service.  After  a  delay  of  several  years, 
mingled  with  fear  and  hope,  they  had  obtained  the 
desire  of  their  hearts.  They  were  now  peacefully 
established  as  an  independent  church  "in  the  con- 
gregational way,"  relieved  from  the  inconveniences 
attending  their  earlier  worship,  and  with  a  devoted 
and  beloved  pastor  were  happy  in  sustaining  an  in- 
stitution recognized  as  "  the  pillar  and  ground  of 
truth,"  and  whose  existence  is  vitally  connected  with 
the  moral  condition  of  the  world.  Oct.  23,  the  same 
year,  Humphrey  Woodberry  and  Sarah,  his  wife, 
John  Clark,  jr.  Humphrey  Woodberry,  jr.  Remember 
Stone  and  Sarah  Conant,  were  received  to  full  com- 
munion, being  the  first  persons  admitted  on  their 
'•  profession  of  faith  and  repentance."  The  first 
child  baptized,  after  the  formation  of  the  church,  was 
Abigail,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah  Sallows,  Oct. 
13,  1667.  The  next  person  receiving  the  rite,  Dec.  1 
following,  was  Richard  Patch,  a  young  man  about 
nineteen  years  of  age,  who,  "  pleading  a  covenant 
interest  in  the  covenant  engagement  of  his  mother, 
and  making,  also,  confession  of  his  own  faith  and  re- 
pentance, having  the  testimony  of  a  blameless  life," 
was  at  the  same  time  received  into  the  church. 

At  the  time  of  Mr.  Hale's  call  to  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  church,  provision  was  made  by  the  society  for 
his  support.  They  agreed  to  pay  him  £70  per  an- 
num, and  to  furnish  thirty  cords  of  fire-wood,  ac- 
cording to  an  existing  custom.  They  further  agreed 
to  give  him  the  use  of  a  house  they  had  built,  two 
acres  of  land  to  be  fenced  in  by  them,  as  much 
18^ 


210  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

meadow  as  bare  "  about  four  loads  of  hay,"  and  the 
*'  benefit  of  pasturing,"  during  the  time  he  remained 
with  them  in  the  ministry.  "Yet  because,"  said 
they,  "  it  is  his  duty  to  provide  for  wife  and  children 
that  he  may  leave  behind  him,  and  our  duty  to  have 
a  care  of  him  in  that  respect,  we  do  therefore  prom- 
ise and  engage,  that  in  case  he  die  in  the  ministry 
with  us,  that  either  the  house  and  two-acre  home-lot 
shall  be  his,  or  that  which  is  equivalent — to  be  paid, 
(according  to  his  last  will  and  testament)  within  the 
compass  of  one  year  after  his  decease."  The  first 
persons  chosen  to  make  rates  for  Mr.  Hale's  mainte- 
nance, in  1665,  were  Capt.  Lothrop,  Mr.  Thorndike, 
Roger  Conant,  Samuel  Corning  and  Joseph  Rootes. 
At  a  subsequent  meeting,  measures  were  adopted  "to 
build  a  house  for  Mr.  Hale's  cattle,"  eighteen  feet 
long,  ten  feet  wide  and  seven  or  eight  feet  stud.  It 
was  also  agreed  to  pay  "  Farmer  Dodge"  for  his 
ground,  bought  for  the  ministry,  "either  two  cows 
or  ten  pounds,"  and  to  pay  Humphrey  Woodberry 
twenty  shillings  an  acre  for  his  ground,  he  having 
"  free  liberty  to  pass  through  with  a  cart  when  he 
hath  occasion."  Various  measures  were  adopted,  from 
1667  to  1684,  for  the  supply  of  Mr.  Hale's  wood,  at 
which  latter  date,  his  salary  was  fixed  at  £64  in 
money,  instead  of  £70,  payable  in  produce  at  a  regu- 
lated price,  called  rate  pay^  and  which  was  not  more 
valuable  than  the  former  sum.  About  the  time  of 
his  marriage,  £10  were  added  to  his  salary,  and  from 
thence  to  his  decease  he  continued  to  receive  £74  per 
annum. 

In  1674,  the  church  advised  in  a  difficulty  origi- 
nated in  the  church  in  Salem,  by  a  movement  to 
form  a  church  at  Lynn,  which  was  amicably  ad- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  211 

justed,  and  in  February,  1675,  Mr.  Hale  assisted  at 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Joseph  Gerrish,  in  Wenham. 

Mr.  Hale  was  born  at  (^harlestown,  June  3,  1636, 
and  was  the  son  of  Robert  and  RebeckaK  Hale.  His 
father  emigrated  from  England,  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  in  Charlestown  between  July  and 
October,  1632,  of  which  he  was  subsequently  chosen 
deacon.  He  was  made  a  freeman  in  1634,  was 
member  of  an  artillery  company  in  1644,  and  in 
1659  held  the  office  of  ensign.  Of  the  mother  of 
John  Flale  but  little  is  known,  but  when  we  con- 
sider the  characters  of  those  who  descended  from 
her  for  three  successive  generations,  without  other 
means  of  judging,  we  are  led  to  very  favorable  in- 
ferences. 

Where  Mr.  John  Hale  pursued  his  preparatory 
studies  is  not  known,  but  he  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  in  1657,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  in 
1664,  three  years  before  his  ordination,  came  to  Bev- 
erly as  a  religious  teacher.  Previously  to  his  settle- 
ment in  the  ministry,  he  was  married  to  Rebeckah 
Byles,  daughter  of  Henry  Byles  of  Sarum,  England, 
who  emigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Salis- 
bury, Mass.  as  early  as  1640."^  She  was  the  mother 
of  two  children — Rebeckah,  who  was  born  April  28, 
1666,  and  died  May  7,  1681,  aged  15  years,  and 
Robert,  born  Nov.  3,  1668.     Mrs.   Hale  died  April 


*  The  mother  of  Rebeckah  Byles,  previous  to  her  marriage  with 
Henry  Byles,  was  the  widow  of  John  Hall.  After  the  death  of  Mr. 
Byles,  she  married  Rev.  William  Worcester  of  Salisbury,  Mass. 
She  married  for  her  fourth  husband.  Deputy  Governor  Samuel 
Symonds  of  Ipswich,  and  died  July  21st,  1695,  aged  78.  She  dis- 
tributed £100  to  persons  who  lost  by  the  great  fire  in  Boston,  and 
who  suffered  in  the  Indian  wars  about  1682. 


212  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

13,  1683,  aged  45  years.  Mr.  Hale  was  again  mar- 
ried March  3,  1684,  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Noyes,  of  New- 
bury, from  the  church  in  which  place  her  relation 
was  removed  to  the  church  in  Beverly,  the  following 
October.  By  this  marriage  there  were  four  children, 
viz.  James,  born  Oct.  14,  1685  ;  Samuel,  born  Aug. 
13,  1687;  Joanna,  born  June  15,  1689,  and  John, 
born  Dec.  24,  1692. 

James  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1703,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  ministry  at  Ashford,  Conn.  Nov. 
26,  1718,  where  he  died  in  Oct.  1742,  at  the  age  of 
57.  Samuel  settled  in  Newbury,  where  he  married 
Sophia  Moody,  May  2,  1714.  He  had  three  sons, 
Richard,  John  and  Samuel,  the  former  of  whom 
settled  in  Coventry,  Conn,  and  was  the  father  of  Na- 
than Hale,  who  was  inhumanly  executed  by  the 
British  in  the  revolutionary  war.  John,  the  third 
son  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hale  by  the  second  marriage,  settled 
at  Gloucester.  His  mother  died  May  20,  1695,  aged 
forty-one. 

Mr.  Hale  was  a  third  time  married  in  1698,  to 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Clark  of  Newbury,  who  was  recei^'-ed 
into  the  church  in  Beverly,  by  dismission  and  recom- 
mendation from  the  church  in  Newbury,  Sept.  17, 
1699.  He  did  not,  however,  continue  long  to  enjoy 
her  society. 

In  1690,  when  the  expedition  against  Canada  had 
been  determined  on,  the  General  Court  invited  Mr. 
Hale  to  join  it  as  chaplain.  This  invitation  was 
submitted  to  his  people,  and  though  doubtless  grati- 
fied with  such  evidence  of  the  public  estimate  of 
their  pastor,  they  withheld  their  assent,  and  ap- 
pointed Samuel  Corning,  John  Hill,  Peter  Woodber- 
ry,  Thomas  West,  Nehemiah  G rover  and  Andrew 


HISTORY    OF    BE7ERLY.  213 

Elliot,  ''  as  a  committee  in  behalf  of  the  church  and 
town  of  Beverly,"  to  assign  their  reasons  "  to  the 
honored  court  and  council."  These  were  :  first,  that 
by  their  pastor's  absence  they  would  "be  as  sheep 
without  a  shepherd."  Second,  they  did  not  think 
his  bodily  strength  adequate  to  such  an  expedition. 
Third,  that  being  "  thin  of  men,  and  men  of  con- 
duct" at  that  time,  owing  to  the  number  engaged  in 
"  the  present  essay,"  and  "  liable  to  suffer  by  ene- 
mies," they  desired  the  presence  of  their  pastor  "  as 
a  comforter  and  encourager  in  such  a  case."  These 
objections  do  not  appear  to  have  had  much  weight 
with  the  Court,  as  the  next  day  after  their  presenta- 
tion, it  was  ''  ordered,  that  the  Rev.  John  Hale,  Mr. 
John  Wise,  Mr.  Grindal  Rawson,  and  Mr.  John 
Emerson,  ministers  of  God's  Word,  be  desired  to 
accompany  the  General  and  forces,  in  the  expedition 
against  Canada,  to  carry  on  the  worship  of  God  in 
that  expedition."^ 

What  induced  Mr.  Hale  to  accept  this  invitation, 
contrary  to  the  strongly  expressed  wish  of  his  flock, 
is  unknown.  It  is  not  improbable,  that  as  a  large 
number  of  his  people  were  engaged  in  this  enter- 
prize,  he  was  anxious  to  accompany  them  that  he 
might  watch  over  their  morals.  In  1734  the  General 
Court,  in  consideration  of  the  time  and  service 
rendered,  granted  his  heirs  three  hundred  acres  of 
land. 

In  1692  the  witchcraft  delusion  broke  out.  It  com- 
menced in  Salem  Village,  in  the  family  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Parris,  whose  child  a  physician  declared  to  be  under 
an  evil  hand — and  spread  with  rapidity  to  several  of 

*  Provincial  Records. 


214  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

the  adjacent  towns.  During  this  period  the  most 
extravagant  fanaticism  prevailed.  Individuals  free 
from  any  moral  stain  were  accused  on  the  most  friv- 
olous pretences.  Persons  under  infatuation,  or  to 
gain  notoriety,  or,  as  was  not  unfrequently  the  case, 
to  gratify  revenge,  suddenly  cried  out  as  in  pain, 
and  declared  themselves  tormented  by  unseen  agents 
in  distant  places.  Children  eight  years  of  age  were 
encouraged  to  testify  against  their  parents,  and  wives 
gave  evidence  against  their  husbands.  If  a  poor, 
decrepid  old  woman  could  not  weep  when  accused, 
through  alarm  or  indignation,  the  fact  was  assumed 
as  evidence  of  guilt.  Rev.  George  Burroughs,  a 
graduate  of  Harvard  College,  and  for  some  time  a 
minister  in  Salem  Village,  having  exhibited  feats  of 
unusual  strength,  was  accused  of  being  aided  by  the 
prince  of  darkness,  and  was  condemned  and  execu- 
ted. He  died  with  christian  composure  ;  and  while 
on  the  ladder  made  a  speech,  and  offered  a  prayer 
with  such  fervor  as  to  affect  many  to  tears.  But 
this  was  charged  upon  him,  by  the  procurers  of  his 
death,  as  proof  of  his  intimacy  with  the  devil ;  and 
when  cut  down,  his  body  was  thrust  into  a  hole  with 
two  others,  and  but  partially  covered.  Giles  Cory, 
at  the  age  of  eighty,  was  accused,  and  refusing  to 
plead  to  the  indictment,  was  condemned  and  crushed 
to  death.  Such  was  the  general  feeling,  on  the  side 
of  prosecutions,  that  accusation  was  almost  the  sure 
precursor  of  condemnation.  Some  of  the  judges,  to 
increase  their  popularity,  resorted  to  arts  to  entrap 
their  unwary  victims.  And  whenever  the  magis- 
trates were  inclined  to  mercy,  or  acquitted  one  whom 
the  popular  voice  had  consigned  to  the  scaffold,  an 
indignant  clamor  burst  forth. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  215 

Among  the  persons  in  this  town,  accused  and  con- 
demned,  though  not  executed,   were   Dorcas  Hoar, 
Sarah    Morey,    Susanna   Rootes,    and   Job  Tuckey. 
Sarah  Morey  was   the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Mary 
Morey.     She  was  accused  in  May,  1692,  and  thrown 
■into  prison,  where   she  remained  until  January  fol- 
lowing, supported  by  her  parents.     Dorcas  Hoar  lay 
in  prison  eleven  months,  the  charges  of  which  were 
defrayed  by  herself.     Tuckey  was  a  laborer,   and 
probably  Avas  fond  of  exciting  wonder  by  marvellous 
speeches.     On   the   4th  June  depositions  were  filed 
against  him  at  Salem,  by  John  Landers,  Samuel  and 
Daniel  Bacon,   John   Stacy,   and   John   Pudney,  Jr. 
The  charges  were — first,  that  Tuckey  declared  that 
he  could   "as  freely  discourse  with   the  devil"   as 
with  him,  the  said  Landers  ;  second,  that  the  accused 
"  said  he  would   take   Mr.  Burroughs'  part ;"  third, 
that  the  accused  had  "afflicted"  Mary  Warren,  Ma- 
ry Walcot,   and   others.     On   the   7th  June  he  was 
examined   before  Maj.   Gedney,   Mr.   Hathorne,  and 
Mr.  Corwin,  when  two  more  accusers  appeared,  viz : 
Elizabeth  Booth  and  Susanna  Shelden.     They  con- 
firmed the  testimony  of  Stacy  and  Pudney,  concern- 
ing Tuckey's  afflicting  Mary  Warren.     They  further 
charged  him  with  bewitching  Betsey  Hews,  and  with 
causing  the  death  of  Andrew  Woodberry  ;  and  also 
testified,   that  on  a  certain  occasion  they  saw   the 
apparitions  of  three  men,  three  women  and  two  chil- 
dren,   "who    all   cried   out   for    vengeance    against 
Tuckey."  * 

To  this  delusion,  Mr.  Hale,  in  common  with  the 
clergy  and  the  principal  public  men  of  the  day,  ap- 

*  Witchcraft  papers.  State  archives. 


216  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

pears  to  have  committed  himself,  so  far  at  least  as  to 
attend  the  examinations  and  trials  of  accused  per- 
sons, and  participate  in  the  religious  services  of  those 
occasions.  It  is  possible,  that  possessing,  as  Higgin- 
son  observes,  a  mind  of  "  singular  prudence  and 
sagacity,  in  searching  into  the  narrows  of  things,'*' 
he  might  have  been  present  at  these  assemblies  from 
a  desire  to  investigate  the  merits  of  the  various  accu- 
sations, rather  than  with  an  intention  to  endorse  the 
prevailing  opinions. 

In  October,  1692,  a  person  in  Wenham  accused 
Mrs.  Hale  of  witchcraft.  This  was  giving  the  sub- 
ject an  aspect  he  had  not  anticipated.  But  it  effect- 
ually broke  the  spell.  He  knew  her  worth  too  well 
to  believe  for  a  mom.ent  that  she  could  be  in  league 
with  the  "  powers  of  darkness."  He  was  at  once 
satisfied  of  her  innocence  ;  and  he  could  not  but  per- 
ceive that  the  reasons  which,  on  maturer  reflection, 
weighed  with  him  in  her  case,  lost  none  of  their  force 
when  applied  to  others.  And  when  convinced  of  the 
error  into  which  he  had  fallen,  he  resolved,  with  an 
independence  highly  honorable  to  his  character,  to 
discard  the  prejudices  of  early  education,  and  in  the 
face  of  popular  opinion,  exert  his  powers  to  extin- 
guish a  fanaticism  that  had  already  consigned  twenty 
human  beings  to  the  scaffold. 

"  The  whole  community  was  convinced  that  the 
accusers,  in  crying  out  upon  Mrs.  Hale,  had  perjured 
themselves  ;  and  from  that  moment  their  power  was 
destroyed  ;  the  awful  delusion  ceased  ;  the  curtain 
fell,  and  a  close  was  put  to  one  of  the  most  tremen- 
dous tragedies  in  the  history  of  real  life.  The  wild- 
est storm,  perhaps,  that  ever  raged  in  the  moral 
world;  instantly  became  a  calm ;  the  tide  that  had 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  217 

threatened   to  overwhelm  every  thing  in    its  fury, 
sunk  back  in  a  moment  to  its  peaceful  bed."  "^ 

In  1697,  Mr.  Hale  wrote  a  work  entitled  "A  mod- 
est inquiry  into  the  nature  of  witchcraft,  and  how 
persons  guilty  of  that  crime  may  be  convicted  ;  and 
the  means  used  for  their  discovery  discussed,  both 
negatively  and  affirmatively,  according  to  scripture 
and  experience."  f  In  his  preface  he  says,  in  a 
commendable  spirit  of  acknowledgment,  "  I  have 
had  a  deep  sense  of  the  sad  consequences  of  mis- 
takes in  matters  capital,  and  their  impossibility  of 
recovering  when  completed ;  and  what  grief  of  heart 
it  brings  to  a  tender  conscience,  to  have  been  unwit- 
tingly encouraging  of  the  sufferings  of  the  innocent. 
And  I  hope  a  zeal  to  prevent,  for  the  future,  such 
sufferings,  is  pardonable,  although  there  should  be 
much  weakness,  and  some  errors,  in  the  pursuit 
thereof  I  have  special  reasons  moving  me  to  bear 
my  testimony  about  these  matters,  before  I  go  hence 
and  he  no  more ;  the  which  I  have  here  done,  and  I 
hope  with  some  assistance  of  his  spirit,  to  whom  I 
commit  myself  and  this  my  labor,  even  that  God 
whose  I  am  and  whom  I  serve,  desiring  his  mercy  in 
Jesus  Christ  to  pardon  all  the  errors  of  his  people  in 
the  day  of  darkness." 

*  Upham's  Lectures  oq  Witchcraft,  p.  23. 

t  Referring  to  this  work,  Cotton  Mather  makes  the  following  re^ 
marks;  "I  will  assure  the  reader  that  he  hath  now  to  do  with  a 
writer  who  would  not  for  a  world  be  guilty  of  overdoing  the  truth  in 
an  history  of  this  importance."  "  None  can  suspect  a  gentleman  so 
full  of  dissatisfaction  at  the  proceedings  then  used  against  supposed 
witchcrafts,  as  now  that  reverend  person  is,  to  be  a  superstitious 
writer  on  that  subject."     Magnolia,  vol.  ii.  pp.  408,  537. 

19 


218  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Mr.  Hale  discusses  the  subject  of  witchcraft  through 
179  pages  18mo.,  and  in  his  closing  chapter,  after 
saying,  ''  We  have  cause  to  be  humbled  for  the  mis- 
takes and  errors  which  have  been  in  these  colonies, 
in  their  proceedings  against  persons  for  this  crime, 
above  forty  years  ago  and  downwards,"  he  adds, 
"  but  I  would  come  yet  nearer  to  our  own  times, 
and  bewail  the  errors  and  mistakes  that  have  been 
in  the  year  1692 ;  in  the  apprehending  too  many 
we  may  believe  were  innocent,  and  executing  of 
some,  I  fear,  riot  to  have  been  condemned  ;  by  fol- 
lowing such  traditions  of  our  fathers,  maxim  of  the 
common  law,  and  precedents  and  principles,  which 
now  we  may  see,  Aveighed  in  the  balance  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, are  found  too  light In  the  prosecution  of 

witchcraft,  we  sought  not  the  Lord  after  the  due 
order ;  but  have  proceeded  after  the  methods  used  in 
former  times  and  other  places,  until  the  Lord  in  this 
tremendous  way  made  a  breach  upon  us.  And 
hereby  we  are  made  sensible,  that  the  methods  for- 
merly made  use  of  are  not  sufficient  to  prove  the 
guilt  of  such  a  crime."  Mr.  Hale  palliates  the  con- 
duct of  those  who  acted  conspicuously  in  the  trans- 
actions that  gave  rise  to  his  volume.  ''I  am,"  he 
says,  "  abundantly  satisfied,  that  those  who  were 
most  concerned  to  act  and  judge  in  those  matters, 
did  not  willingly  depart  from  the  rules  of  righteous- 
ness. But  such  was  the  darkness  of  that  day,  the 
tortures  and  lamentations  of  the  afflicted,  and  the 
power  of  former  precedents,  that  we  walked  in  the 
clouds,  and  could  not  see  our  way."  This  is  a  deci- 
sion at  which  a  charitable  judgment,  after  the  lapse 
of  a  century  and  a  half,  would  naturally  arrive. 
That  all  who  participated  in  the  witchcraft  delusion, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  219 

or  that  even  the  most  intelligent  of  them,  were  ac- 
tuated by  bad  motives,  is  not  to  be  supposed.  Some- 
thing is  to  be  allowed  for  the  habits  of  thought  and 
the  tendencies  to  excessive  superstition  then  preva- 
lent; and  when  we  say  "  learned  men  are  not  always 
wise,"  and  that  good  men  sometimes  err,  we  but 
repeat  the  utterings  of  all  past  experience.  And 
while  the  excesses  of  error  and  fanaticism  in  that 
awful  drama  are  deplored,  we  should  not  lose  sight 
of  the  redeeming  traits  in  the  character  of  the  actors, 
nor  should  the  palliating  circumstances  which  charity 
suggests,  be  disallowed. 

To  the  little  work  of  Mr.  Hale's,  from  which  the 
preceding  extracts  have  been  taken,  is  prefixed  "an 
epistle  to  the  reader,"  by  Rev.  John  Higginson,  of 
Salem,  then  at  the  advanced  age  of  82,  recommend- 
ing it  as  a  work  which,  from  the  "  pious  and  modest 
manner "  of  the  author,  would  "  be  generally  ac- 
ceptable to  all  the  lovers  of  truth  and  peace."  The 
only  other  production  of  Mr.  Hale's  pen,  known  to 
have  been  published,  is  an  election  sermon,  preached 
in  1684,  before  the  State  authorities.  The  text  was, 
Haggai,  ii.  4. 

Mr.  Hale  appears  to  have  possessed  an  enlarged 
mind  and  a  generous  public  spirit.  In  1676,  he  di- 
rected the  selectmen  to  appropriate  £6  of  his  salary — 
nearly  a  twelfth  part  of  the  whole — to  public  uses, 
such  as  fortifications,  ammunition,  and  country  rates 
on  account  of  the  war.  In  1683,  he  gave  £5  towards 
erecting  a  house  of  worship ;  and  in  1690,  he  loaned 
the  town  £3  of  the  £48  borrowed  of  nineteen  diiferent 
persons,  to  purchase  "  great  guns"  and  ammunition, 
and  to  pay  for  building  a  fort.  Nothing  appears  to 
have  occurred   to  affect  materially  the  prosperity  of 


220  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

the  church,  during  his  protracted  ministry  of  forty- 
seven  years ;  and  that  his  worth  was  appreciated  by 
his  parishioners,  the  interest  they  manifested  for  his 
temporal  comfort  is  conclusive  evidence.  He  died 
May  15,  1700,  aged  64.  His  grave-stone  bears  the 
following  inscription.  "  Here  lies  the  body  of  the 
Reverend  Mr.  John  Hale,  a  pious  and  faithful  min- 
ister of  the  gospel,  and  pastor  of  the  first  chnrch  of 
Christ  in  this  town  of  Beverly,  who  rested  from  his 
labors  on  the  15th  day  of  May,  anno  domini,  1700, 
in  the  64th  year  of  his  age." 

On  the  24th  Feb.  1668,  five  months  subsequent  to 
Mr.  Hale's  settlement,  the  church  made  choice  of 
Humphrey  Woodberry  to  fill  the  ofiice  of  deacon, 
from  which  time  to  the  present,  nineteen  persons 
have  served  in  that  capacity.  As  early  as  1665, 
Henry  Bailey  filled  the  office  of  sexton,  and  his  com- 
pensation was  fixed  at  one  peck  of  corn  per  annum 
from  each  householder.  Of  his  fidelity,  the  best  evi- 
dence is  found  in  the  fact,  that  when  succeeded 
twenty  years  afterwards,  1680,  by  WilUam  Hoar,  it 
was  stipulated,  that  he  should  "  do  in  all  respects  as 
Goodman  Bailey  had  done," — the  highest  panegyrick 
that  could  have  been  pronounced  on  Mr.  Bailey's 
character.  At  this  time  was  commenced  the  practice 
of  ringing  the  bell  at  9  o'clock,  for  which  additional 
duty  Goodman  Hoar  found  compensation  in  additional 
pecks  of  corn,  derived  from  an  increased  number  of 
families.  The  ofiice  of  sexton,  always  indispensable, 
was  peculiarly  important  at  this  period.  Besides 
keeping  the  key  of  the  meeting-house,  ringing  the 
bell,  &c.,  it  was  made  his  particular  duty  to  keep, 
and  on  the  sabbath,  turn  the  glass.  The  hour-glass, 
which  the  more  convenient  clock  has  displaced,  was 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  221 

turned  by  him  at  the  naming  of  the  text  in  full  view 
of  the  minister.  If  he  completed  his  discourse  "be- 
fore the  sands  had  all  run  out,  he  was  admonished 
that  he  had  not  complied  with  the  reasonable  expect- 
ations of  his  hearers,  whether  sleeping  or  waking, — 
both  classes  having  tacitly  contracted  for  an  hour's 
enjoyment  in  their  own  peculiar  way.  If  his  zeal 
inclined  him  to  go  beyond  the  standard  measure,  the 
turning  of  the  glass  by  the  faithful  sexton  reminded 
him  that  he  was  asking  more  of  the  patience  of  his 
hearers  than  they  had  tacitly  agreed  to  give."  But 
instances  were  not  rare,  in  those  days,  when  long 
sermons  were  less  alarming  than  in  this  age  of  des- 
patch ;  in  which,  as  has  been  facetiously  remarked, 
both  preachers  and  hearers  were  well  contented  to 
take  the  second,  and  even  the  third  glass  together. 
Sexton  Hoar  was  succeeded  by  Josiah  Woodberry, 
1748,  who  served  with  fidelity  forty-one  years,  and 
died  in  Dec.  1789.  Wells  Standley  was  appointed 
in  1790,  and  continued  in  office  about  seven  years, 
when  he  died  suddenly,  1797.  Joshua  Wallis,  who 
succeeded  him,  fell  down  while  ringing  the  bell  for 
nine  o'clock,  and  died  immediately,  of  apoplexy,  a 
month  or  two  after  his  appointment.  The  present 
incumbent,  Thomas  Barrett,  was  appointed  to  office 
in  June,  1797,  forty-five  years  ago,  and  will  long  be 
remembered  for  the  faithful  traits  which  marked  the 
character  of  Goodman  Bailey.  In  March,  1842, 
Ezra  Woodberry  was  associated  with  him  as  col- 
league. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Hale,  some  difficulty  ap- 
pears to  have  arisen  in  the  church,  the  nature  of 
which  is  not  defined,  but  which  was  amicably  ad- 
justed  through   the   intervention  of  Rev.    Nicholas 
19^ 


222  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Noyes  and  Rev.  Joseph  Gerrish.  Immediatelyj  how- 
ever, on  the  decease  of  Mr.  Hale,  measures  were 
taken  for  "  procuring  a  suitable  and  meet  person  to 
labor  in  the  ministry."  An  invitation  to  settle,  as 
pastor,  was  given  to  Mr.  Thomas  Blowers,  of  Cam- 
bridge, which  being  accepted,  he  was  ordained 
Oct.  29th,  1701.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr. 
Clarke,  of  Salem  Village  (now  Dan  vers);  Mr.  Noyes, 
of  Salem,  gave  the  charge,  and  Mr.  Cheever,  of  Mar- 
blehead,  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 

The  salary  of  Mr.  Blowers  was  £80,  and  £100 
settlement,  and  besides  the  ordinary  services  of  the 
sabbath,  he  was  required  to  preach  a  monthly  lec- 
ture and  "catechise"  the  children.  Owing  to  the 
depreciation  of  bills  of  credit,  additions  were  made 
to  his  salary,  to  save  him  from  loss,  and  in  1728,  it 
was  fixed  permanently  at  £140.  In  addition  to  this, 
he  had  the  use  of  rights  granted  him  in  Bunker's 
meadow,  in  Topsfield,  and  in  Snake  Hill  pasture. 

There  are  but  few  incidents  recorded,  to  diversify 
the  ministerial  life  of  Mr.  Blowers.  At  the  time  of 
his  settlement,  a  public  relation  of  religious  experi- 
ence was  required  by  the  church;  but  at  a  church- 
meeting,  Jan.  11,  1727-8,  it  was  unanimously  voted 
to  dispense  with  this  practice,  and  to  receive  from  the 
pastor  some  statement  concerning  the  individuals 
propounded,  before  asking  a  vote  for  their  admission. 
It  does  not  appear  that  the  relation  of  experiences  in 
public  was  required  during  Mr.  Hale's  ministry,  and 
it  is  conjectured  that  the  agitation  of  this  subject 
after  his  death  was  the  occasion  of  the  difficulty  be- 
fore referred  to,  which  delayed  Mr.  Blowers'  settle- 
ment some  time  after  his  election  by  the  parish. 

Aug.  21,  1705,  Mr.  Blowers  attended  a  meeting  of 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  223 

ministers  at  Salem,  to  consider  the  following  ques- 
tion :  •'  What  further  steps  are  to  be  taken,  that  the 
councils  may  have  due  constitution  and  efficacy  in 
supporting,  preserving  and  well  ordering  the  inter- 
ests of  the  church  in  the  country."  The  meeting 
took  up  the  question  by  recommendation  of  the 
convention  in  Boston  the  May  preceding,  and  de- 
puted Messrs.  Gerrish  and  Cheever  to  present  their 
result  to  the  general  convention,  to  meet  in  Boston 
on  the  13th  September  following.  The  proposals  of 
a  convention  of  ministers  at  Boston,  for  the  consocia- 
tion of  the  congregational  churches,  in  1705,  is  record- 
ed at  length,  by  Mr.  Blowers,  in  the  church  record, 
with  the  names  of  the  signers,  though  nothing  ap- 
pears to  show  that  he  favored  the  project.  These 
proposals  are  the  more  interesting  from  the  move- 
ment of  the  Massachusetts  General  Association,  in 
1814,  to  revive  them,  as  the  basis  of  another  attempt 
to  consociate  the  churches,  and  which,  like  that  of 
1705,  met  with  so  much  opposition  as  to  induce  the 
projectors  to  abandon  it. 

In  1707,  objections  being  made  to  the  appointment 
of  Mr.  Leverett  to  the  presidency  of  Harvard  College 
on  the  ground  of  his  being  a  layman,  Mr.  Blowers, 
with  thirty-eight  other  clergymen,  who  were  not  in- 
fluenced by  professional  partiality,  united  in  an  ad- 
dress to  Gov.  Dudley,  advocating  the  appointment.^^ 

Sept.  27,  1716,  Mr.  Blowers  and  Mr.  Chipman, 
minister  of  the  second  parish,  united  with  others  in 
forming  an  association  of  clergymen  in  Salem,  which 
has  continued  to  this  day. 

Mr.  Blowers  was  the  son  of  Pyam  and  Elizabeth 

*  Quincy's  Hist.  Harv.  Col.  vol.  i.  p.  505. 


224  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Blowers,  his  mother  being  sister  of  the  Hon.  Andrew- 
Belcher.  He  was  born  at  Cambridge,  Aug.  1 ,  1677, 
and  graduated  at  Harvard  College  1095.  The  year 
subsequent  to  his  settlement  in  the  ministry,  he  was 
married  to  Emma  Woodberry,  of  Beverly.  His 
children  were  Pyam,  Emma,  Thomas,  John,  Eliza- 
beth and  Andrew.  One  of  his  grandchildren,  Hon. 
Sampson  Salter  Blowers,  of  Halifax,  N.  S.  died  in 
October,  1842,  at  the  advanced  age  of  one  hundred 
years, — having,  for  a  considerable  period,  been  the 
senior  surviving  graduate  of  Harvard  University. 

The  term  of  Mr.  Blowers'  ministry  was  nearly 
twenty-eight  years,  and  was  closed  by  death,  June 
17,  1729,  in  the  fifty-second  year  of  his  age,  after  an 
illness  of  a  few  days.  A  notice  of  his  decease,  writ- 
ten on  the  day  of  his  interment,  says  :  '^  He  had 
frequently,  of  late,  expressed  an  expectation  of 
dying  very  speedily,  though  his  state  of  health 
seemed  much  the  same  as  for  some  time  before,  and 
without  any  extraordinary  symptoms  upon  him.  It 
is  worthy  of  remark  that,  on  the  last  Sabbath  he  was 
abroad  (June  8),  one  of  his  sermons  was  on  those 
words  of  Neh.  x.  39,  '  We  will  not  forsake  the  house 
of  our  God,'  and  the  other  on  Psalms  x.  14,  '  The 
poor  committeth  himself  unto  thee  :  thou  art  the 
helper  of  the  fatherless.'  On  Friday  following,  he 
appeared  more  than  commonly  intent  on  his  prepara- 
tions for  the  sabbath,  studying  upon  those  words. 
Acts  xi.  3.3,  '  And  exhorted  them  all,  that  with  pur- 
pose of  heart  they  would  cleave  unto  the  Lord  ;'  but 
still  under  an  apprehension  that  he  should  never 
preach  the  discourse.  '  The  thought,'  (he  said)  '  was 
strangely  impressed  upon  him  at  every  head  became 
to,  that  he  should  not  live  to  preach  it.     And,  alas! 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  225 

it  happened  accordingly,  for  on  the  next  morning  he 
fell  sick  of  the  sickness  whereof  he  died  ;  and  though, 
after  the  first  sudden  shock  of  his  distemper,  which 
laid  him  in  a  dying  posture,  he  had  some  revival  for 
about  two  hours,  yet  he  was,  for  the  most  part,  in  a 
manner  wholly  speechless,  and  scarce  able,  but  by 
signs,  to  explain  his  inward  peace  and  good  hope 
through  grace.  He  has  left  behind  him  a  good  name, 
better  than  precious  ointment  and  preferable  to  great 
riches  ;  the  character  of  a  very  valuable  man,  a  good 
scholar  and  excellent  minister.  He  was  a  distin- 
guished example  of  warm  devotion,  of  extensive 
goodness,  meekness  and  sweetness  of  temper;  of 
great  stabiUty  in  his  principles  and  steadiness  in  his 
conduct ;  a  very  faithful  friend  and  obUging  neigh- 
bor ;  a  most  tender  and  kind  husband  and  father ;  a 
vigilant,  prudent  pastor  and  close,  pathetic  preacher  ; 
had  in  great  veneration  among  the  associated  pastors 
in  the  vicinity;  highly  esteemed  by  all  his  acquaint- 
ance, and  universally  beloved  by  his  flock,  who  much 
lament  their  great  loss." 

The  parish  appropriated  £50  to  defray  funeral 
charges  and  erect  a  monument  over  his  remains.  In 
1818,  a  solid  block  of  hammered  granite  was  placed 
over  his  grave,  covered  with  a  slab  of  freestone 
bearing  the  following  inscription:  "In  memory  of 
Rev.  Thomas  Blowers,  obt.  June  17th,  1729,  in  the 
28th  year  of  his  ministry."  On  removing  the  earth, 
to  lay  the  foundation  of  this  block,  the  bones  were 
found  perfect,  but  the  coffin  and  grave-clothes  were 
entirely  decayed  and  mingled  with  the  surrounding 
earth. 

The  only  publication  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Blowers, 
of  which  information  has  been  obtained,  was  a  ser- 


226  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

mon  on  the  death  of  Rev.  Joseph  Green,  of  Salem 
Village,  1715.  He  left,  as  a  legacy  to  the  church,  a 
silver  cup  inscribed  with  his  name,  which  is  the  old- 
est piece  of  plate,  save  one,  now  belonging  to  it.  His 
dwelling-house  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1782. 

Mr.  Blowers  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Joseph  Champ- 
ney,  who  received  and  accepted  a  call  within  six 
months  of  his  predecessor's  decease.  The  first  Thurs- 
day in  December,  1729,  was  set  apart  as  a  season  of 
humiliation  and  prayer  for  the  divine  blessing  on  the 
proceedings,  and  John  Balch,  Robert  Woodberry, 
Dea.  William  Dodge,  Dea.  Benjamin  Balch,  John 
Thorndike,  Israel  Wood  and  Henry  Herrick,  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  invite  the  churches  to  assist 
at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Champney.  Twenty  pounds 
were  also  voted  to  defray  the  expense  of  the  ordina- 
tion, and  a  committee  was  chosen  to  make  provision 
for  the  clergy  and  others  who  were  to  assist  on  the 
occasion.  December  10th,  the  ordination  took  place. 
Mr.  Fisk  ofiered  the  introductory  prayer.  Mr.  Apple- 
ton  preached  the  sermon.  Mr.  Barnard  gave  the 
charge,  and  Mr.  Chipman  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship. 

Mr.  Champney 's  salary  was  fixed  at  £140  in  prov- 
ince bills  of  credit — the  sum  to  rise  or  fall  as  the 
bills  might  fluctuate  from  time  to  time.  A  free  con- 
tribution was  also  to  be  kept  up  for  him  during  his 
continuance  in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  His  settle- 
ment was  £200  in  province  bills  of  credit,  one  half 
to  be  paid  in  one  year  and  the  remainder  in  two 
years.  As  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Blowers,  it  became 
a  part  of  his  duty  to  preach  a  monthly  lecture  and 
catechise  the  children. 

The  difficulties  which  existed  in  the  first  church 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  227 

in  Salem  for  several  years  after  the  settlement  of  Mr. 
Champney,  excited  considerable  interest  in  the  church 
under  his  pastoral  care.  These  difficulties  began  in 
the  ministry  of  Mr.  Fisk,  between  him  and  a  respect- 
able minority  of  his  church  and  congregation.  Mr. 
Fisk  maintained  the  independency  of  each  church, 
and  denied  the  right  of  other  churches  to  interfere  by 
council  or  otherwise,  unless  solicited  by  the  church 
to  be  counselled  or  advised.  In  this  position  he  was 
sustained  by  a  majority  of  his  people,  and  set  at  de- 
fiance council  after  council  gathered  from  the  whole 
colony,  and  holding  their  imposing  meetings  on  the 
spot.  The  excitement  in  Salem  led  to  debates  and 
discussions  here;  and  taking  the  records  for  evidence, 
no  subject,  from  the  organization  of  the  church,  ever 
engaged  more  attention.  For  reasons  connected  with 
this  controversy,  probably,  the  church  in  1736  de- 
clined assisting  at  the  ordination  of  John  Sparhawk. 
These  discussions  in  Mr.  Champney's  church  led 
to  the  consideration  of  the  principles  of  its  own  eccle- 
siastical government,  and  a  meeting  was  called  *'  to 
look  into  the  church  covenant  and  the  ancient  foun- 
dation of  the  church."  At  this  meeting,  March  31, 
1734-5,  after  considerable  debate,  the  church  voted, 
by  a  very  small  majority,  to  acknowledge  the  plat- 
form as  the  rule  of  government  and  discipline.  At 
an  adjourned  meeting  the  14th  April  following, 
that  vote  was  unanimously  reconsidered,  and  a  com- 
mittee chosen  ''  to  peruse  and  examine  the  plat- 
form, and  to  report  such  explanations  of  any  part  of 
it  as  they  might  think  proper."  This  committee  con- 
sisted of  Robert  Hale,  chairman,  and  ten  others,  and 
on  the  9th  of  June,  1735,  they  reported  that  the 
church  should  accept  the  platform,  reserving  the  lib- 


228  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

erty  of  receiving  certain  articles  in  their  owii  sense, 
which  report  was  accepted.  From  these  proceedings, 
it  appears  that  the  Cambridge  platform,  so  often 
referred  to  by  Congregational  churches  as  an  author- 
ity in  matters  of  ecclesiastical  government,  was  not 
in  any  sense  received  by  the  first  church  in  this  town, 
until  about  sixty-eight  years  after  its  formation,  and 
then  only  with  modifications  and  exceptions — a  fact 
of  considerable  importance  in  the  history  of  the 
churches  in  Massachusetts. 

In  1736,  unsuccessful  attempts  were  made  to  choose 
ruling  elders  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  plat- 
form, and  the  subject  was  finally  abandoned.  In 
1737,  the  church  by  its  pastor  and  messengers,  assist- 
ed at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  James  Diman  over  the 
second  church  and  parish  in  Salem  ;  and  again  in 
1745,  assisted  in  a  council  held  in  Salem,  to  consider 
some  new  difiiculty  in  the  first  church.  In  1740,  and 
again  in  1770,  the  celebrated  George  Whitefield 
passed  through  the  country,  and  excited  a  great 
deal  of  unpleasant  feeling  (for  which  he  afterward 
expressed  his  regret)  by  the  rudeness  with  which  he 
assailed  the  clergy.  The  usefulness  of  his  itinerant 
labors  were  variously  estimated,  and  Mr.  Champney 
is  understood  to  have  concurred  with  those  who  were 
opposed  to  the  course  pursued  by  him.  Between 
1735  and  1749,  the  bills  of  credit  in  which  Mr. 
Champney's  salary  was  paid,  became  less  valuable, 
and  various  sums  were  added,  besides  several  special 
grants.  In  1749,  the  last  year  of  paper-money,  the 
parish  voted  him  £660  old  tenor ;  and  in  1750,  they 
voted  him  £90  lawful  money,  which  sum  he  re- 
ceived annually,  with  few  exceptions,  to  the  lime  of 
his  death. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 


229 


In  1772,  Mr.  Joseph  Willard  received  and  accepted 
a  call  to  settle  as  colleague  with  Mr.  Champney. 
£200  settlement  was  voted  him,  and  a  salary  of 
£100,  to  be  increased  to  £120  after  Mr.  Champney's 
decease.  The  ordination  took  place  Nov.  25th.  The 
churches  invited,  were  the  first  and  second  churches 
in  Cambridge,  the  three  churches  in  Boston,  of  which 
Dr.  Elliot,  Dr.  Cooper,  and  Mr.  Howard  were  pas- 
tors, the  second  church  in  Scarborough,  the  church 
in  Stafford,  the  first  and  second  churches  in  Salem, 
the  second  church  in  Danvers,  the  churches  in  Wen- 
ham  and  Manchester,  and  the  second  church  in 
Beverly.  The  Rev.  Samuel  Cook  of  Cambridge, 
offered  the  introductory  prayer;  Rev.  Andrew  EUiot 
of  Boston,  preached  the  sermon  from  2  Tim.  iv.  2, 
''Preach  the  word;"  Rev.  Nathaniel  Appleton  of 
Cambridge,  offered  the  prayer  of  ordination,  and 
gave  the  charge;  Rev.  James  Diman  prayed  after 
the  charge,  and  Rev.  Nathan  Holt  of  Danvers,  gave 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 

Mr.  Champney  died  Feb.  23,  1773,  less  than  three 
months  after  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Willard,  in  the 
69th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-fourth  of  his 
ministry.  The  parish  voted  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  his  funeral,  to  erect  a  monument  over  his  grave, 
and  to  pay  his  widow  the  whole  of  his  salary  for 
the  current  year.  In  1818,  the  monument  over  his 
grave  was  repaired  by  direction  of  the  first  parish. 
Mr.  Champney  was  born  in  Cambridge.  He  was 
early  sent  to  Harvard  College,  where  he  was  class- 
mate of  Col.  Robert  Hale.  He  took  his  degree  in 
1721  and  1724,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of 
divinity.  He  served  the  people  of  his  charge  with- 
out interruption  till  the  last  year  of  his  life,  when 
20 


230  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

his  labors  were  suspended  by  a  general  decay.  An 
affectionate  regard  for  the  people,  which  manifested 
itself  both  in  their  prosperity  and  adversity  ;  a  readi- 
ness to  serve  them  upon  all  occasions ;  a  peaceable 
temper  and  behavior,  and  a  steady,  prudent  con- 
duct, distinguished  his  ministry,  and  gained  him  the 
love  and  esteem  of  all.  His  life  appeared  to  be  that 
of  a  sincere  Christian,  and  its  close  was  serene.  He 
was  a  kind  and  affectionate  husband,  and  a  tender 
and  faithful  father.  He  was  of  medium  stature,  light 
complexion,  of  social  habits,  and,  as  was  customary 
with  clergymen  of  his  time,  wore  a  wig  and  cocked 
hat. 

Mr.  Champney  was  married  Oct.  1,  1730,  to  Eliz- 
abeth, daughter  of  his  predecessor,  Mr.  Blowers. 
She  survived  the  birth  of  her  son  Joseph  but  a  short 
time,  and  died  Jan.  13,  1731,  aged  19  years  3 
months.  His  second  wife  was  Thankful  Pick- 
ens of  Lynn,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1733. 
She  survived  him,  and  died  July  31,  1777,  aged  71. 
The  children  by  this  marriage  were — Richard,  who 
died  young,  Richard,  Israel,  Sarah,  Elizabeth  and 
Thomas.  Elizabeth  is  well  remembered  as  the  faith- 
ful and  exemplary  schoolmistress.  She  was  for 
many  years  without  a  rival,  the  best  female  teacher 
in  the  town,  and  three  successive  generations  par- 
took of  her  care.  Under  her  guidance,  many  of  the 
ladies  who  now  move  in  the  important  spheres  of 
wives  and  mothers,  in  this  town  and  elsewhere, 
commenced  their  education-  She  died  unmarried, 
April  23,  1806,  aged  about  66. 

The  first  person  admitted  to  the  church  by  Mr. 
Champney  was  William  Ellingwood,  Aug.  9,  1730. 
The  first  baptism  was  Anna,  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Precilla  Woodberry,  Dec.  14,  1729. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  .  231 

The  call  of  Mr.  Willard  was  not  entirely  unani- 
mous, and  after  his  settlement  the  minority  peti- 
tioned to  be  set  off  as  a  distinct  parish,  but  the  rea- 
sons appearing  insufficient,  the  request  was  not 
granted.  At  this  time  a  strong  feeling  existed  con- 
cerning what  is  known  as  the  Arminian  controversy. 
Mr.  Willard  was  supposed  to  lean  to  the  Arminian 
view,  and  with  many,  supposition  was  equivalent  to 
proof.  One  of  his  parishioners,  not  minutely  versed 
in  polemics  or  skilled  in  technical  theology,  alarmed 
at  his  apprehended  unsoundness  of  opinions,  came  to 
him  one  day,  and  among  other  things  informed  him 
that  he  was  reported  to  be  a  musk-melon,  meaning 
probably  Arminian  !  Mr.  Willard  facetiously  re- 
plied, that  the  report  could  not  be  true,  for  if  it  were, 
he  should  have  been  eaten  up  a  long  time  before. 
Some  serious  explanations  followed,  and  the  conver- 
sation resulted  in  making  a  firm  friend  of  one  who 
was  on  the  point  of  being  settled  in  opposition. 

Mr.  Willard,  like  his  predecessors,  experienced  the 
evils  of  a  fluctuating  currency.  From  £420  to 
£3000,  were  at  various  times  voted  in  payment  of 
his  salary  of  £120,  and  yet  his  losses  by  depreciation 
were  not  fully  repaired.  In  1779,  he  memorialized 
the  parish  on  the  subject,  showing  that  the  extra 
grants  had  not  equalled  the  depreciation,  and  in  con- 
sequence he  had  been  obliged  to  expend  a  part  of  his 
settlement  for  his  support.  On  the  7th  Aug.  1780, 
he  presented  a  statement  to  the  parish  meeting, 
which,  as  it  affords  a  practical  view  of  the  monetary 
condition  of  the  times,  is  presented  entire. 

"  Brethren  :  I  present  to  you  some  calculations  to 
save  you  trouble,  and  help  your  minds  in  determin- 
ing what  is  just,  this  afternoon.  In  these  calcula- 
tions I  have  compared  the  prices  of  some  of  the  most 


232  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

necessary  articles  of  living,  through  June  and  July 
last  past,  with  what  they  were  before  the  war,  by 
which  it  will  appear  how  much  the  articles  have 
multiplied  in  their  prices.  Before  the  present  war, 
corn,  per  bushel,  3s.  4d. ;  veal,  in  the  summer,  per 
lb.,  3d.  ;  butter,  per  lb.,  8d.  ;  wood,  per  cord,  at  the 
wharves  in  summer,  highest,  13s.  4d.  The  cost  of  a 
bushel  of  corn,  a  pound  of  veal,  a  pound  of  butter, 
and  a  cord  of  wood,  17s.  7d.  June  and  July,  1780, 
corn,  $60  per  bushel,  is  £18  ;  veal,  $5  per  lb.,  is  £1, 
10s.  Od. ;  butter,  $15  per  lb.,  is  £4.  10s.  Od.  ;  wood, 
the  very  lowest,  $300  per  cord,  is  £90.  The  cost  of 
a  bushel  of  corn,  a  pound  of  veal,  a  pound  of  butter, 
and  a  cord  of  wood,  £114.  By  this  it  appears  that 
the  price  of  the  necessaries  of  living  are  a  little  more 
than  129  for  1.  That  is,  $129  would  not  purchase, 
through  June  and  July  past,  more  than  $1  v/ould 
before  the  war.  Leaving  out  the  article  of  wood, 
and  making  the  calculation  upon  the  three  others,  it 
will  make  almost  113  for  1.  If  we  take  the  neces- 
sary articles  of  clothing  into  the  account,  we  shall 
find  an  estimate  surpassing  the  first.  But  even  if 
the  lowest  estimate  is  taken,  it  will  be  found  I  have 
not  had  in  value  quite  £27  of  the  last  half  year's  sal- 
ary, which  should  be  £60,  so  that  it  has  fallen  short 
more  than  half  The  parish  voted  me  but  50  for  1, 
which  not  being  assessed  till  the  latter  part  of  May, 
it  lias  been  gathered,  received  and  made  use  of,  when 
money  has  been  of  the  above  low  value.  What, 
therefore,  may  be  reasonably  expected,  is,  that  the 
parish,  at  their  meeting,  should  vote  a  sum  to 
make  up  the  deficiency  of  the  past  half  year's  sal- 
ary, as  well  as  to  determine  what  may  be  just  to 
raise  for  the  half  year  of  which  between  two  and 
three  months  are  past."     The  next  year.  Mr.  Wil- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  233 

lard  requested  the  parish  to  fix  his  salary  upon  the 
necessaries  of  life,  to  be  regulated  according  to  prices 
every  three  months,  which  was  complied  with,  as 
was  also  a  request  to  hire  him  a  house. 

After  a  peaceful  ministry  of  nine  years,  marked 
by  mutual  confidence  and  aifection,  Mr.  Willard  was 
called,  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  overseers,  to  the 
presidency  of  Harvard  University.  This  election, 
after  "prayerful  consideration,  weighing  things  on 
every  side,  and  consulting  the  most  judicious  per- 
sons," he  felt  it  his  duty  to  accept.  Nov.  19,  1781, 
he  addressed  a  communication  to  the  parish  on  the 
subject,  and  requested  their  consent  to  his  dismissal 
from  the  pastoral  ofi^ice.  The  same  request  had  been 
previously  made  of  the  church,  which  ''concluded 
not  to  act  as  a  separate  body,  but  as  a  part  of  the 
parish."  This  communication  was  referred  to  a 
committee,  who  reported  as  follows:  "That  it  is 
with  the  greatest  reluctance  that  we  think  of  con- 
senting to  our  pastor's  leaving  us,  with  whom  we 
have  lived  happily  for  so  long  a  season  ;  and  when 
we  think  of  the  difficulties  that  may  attend  a  re-set- 
tlement among  us,  should  he  go  from  us,  our  minds 
cannot  but  be  much  affected.  Yet,  when  we  con- 
sider that  our  pastor  is  invited  to  a  station  of  very 
great  importance,  and  where  he  may  be  much  more 
extensively  useful  to  the  churches  of  Christ  than  if 
he  were  to  continue  to  minister  to  a  single  church 
and  parish,  we  fear  to  withhold  our  consent,  lest  we 
should  be  found  to  be  contending  against  Providence. 
We  therefore,  though  with  pain,  give  him  up  for  the 
sake  of  the  public,  and  ardently  wish,  when  invested 
with  the  president's  office,  that  he  may  be  a  rich 
blessing  to  the  world."  This  report  was  accepted  ; 
20^ 


234  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

and  Dec.  30,  1781,  Mr.  Willard  publicly  took  leave 
of  the  first  church  and  congregation,  in  a  discourse 
from  Acts  xx.  32.  "  And  now,  brethren,  I  commend 
you  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  which  is 
able  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance 
among  all  them  which  are  sanctified."  Subsequent- 
ly, on  petition,  as  it  appears  was  customary  in  such 
cases,  the  parish  received  £100  from  the  treasury  of 
the  Commonwealth,  to  aid  in  defraying  the  expense 
of  settling  another  pastor. 

Mr.  Willard  was  born  at  Biddeford,  Me.,  Dec.  29, 
1738,  and  was  son  of  Rev.  Samuel  Willard,  and 
grandson  of  Vice  President  Willard.  He  was  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  College  in  1765,  in  which  he  was 
subsequently  a  tutor  about  six  years.  Soon  after  his 
ordination,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Sheafe,  an 
accomplished  lady,  and  of  a  distinguished  family  in 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.  His  children,  born  in  this  town, 
were  Sophia,  Augustus,  Mary,  and  Sidney,  who  was 
a  professor  in  Harvard  College  for  many  years.  He 
continued  to  preside  over  the  college  for  nearly  twen- 
ty-three years,  and  died  at  New  Bedford,  Sept.  25th, 
1804,  in  the  66th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  particu- 
larly distinguished  for  his  acquaintance  with  clas- 
sical literature,  and  with  astronomical  and  mathe- 
matical science.  His  attainments  in  Greek  learning 
have  been  equalled  by  few.  At  the  head  of  the  uni- 
versity, he  mingled  paternal  tenderness  with  strict 
authority  ;  and  by  his  dignified  person  and  deport- 
ment, united  with  candor,  generosity  and  benevo- 
lence, he  secured  at  the  same  time  respect  and  affec- 
tion. ''  His  unbending  integrity,"  says  one  who 
knew  him  intimately,  and  who  was  associated  in 
college  government  with  him,  "his  patience  and  fi- 
delity in  duty,  his  claims  to  professional  and  literary 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  235 

respect  and  confidence,  gave  him  a  high  rank  among 
the  worthies,  guardians  and  guides  of  that  genera- 
tion." *= 

As  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  he  was  less  anxious  to 
display  his  critical  learning  than  to  impart  the  most 
useful  instruction.  He  made  doing  good  the  great 
ohject  of  his  sacred  office;  and  his  piety,  which  was 
equally  remote  from  superstition  or  overwrought  en- 
thusiasm, was  manifested  by  his  resignation  to  the 
will  of  God  under  pains  and  afliictions,  and  by  his 
constant  exertions  to  promote  the  interests  of  reli- 
gion. His  publications  were  :  a  thanksgiving  sermon, 
1783,  a  sermon  at  the  ordination  of  Joseph  McKean, 
1785,  a  sermon  on  the  death  of  Timothy  Hilliard, 
1790,  a  sermon  at  the  ordination  of  Hezekiah  Pack- 
ard, 1793,  a  Latin  address  on  the  death  of  George 
Washington,  1800,  and  several  mathematical  and 
astronomical  communications  in  the  Memoirs  of  the 
American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences. 

After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Willard,  the  pulpit  re- 
mained vacant  more  than  three  years,  during  which 
time  it  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Bentley,  Motee. 
Mellen,  D  wight,  Story,  Lock  wood  and  White.  Mr. 
Story  received  an  invitation  to  settle,  which  he  de- 
clined;  and  Dec.  6th,  1784,  a  unanimous  call  was 
given  to  Mr.  Joseph  McKean,  which  he  accepted, 
and  his  ordination  took  place  May  11th,  1785.  On 
this  occasion.  Rev.  Phillips  Payson  made  the  intro- 
ductory prayer ;  Rev.  Joseph  Willard  preached  the 
sermon,  from  2  Tim.  i.  7,  "  For  God  hath  not  given 
lis  the  spirit  of  fear,  but  of  power,  and  of  love,  and 
of  a  sound  mind ;  "  Rev.  Joseph  Swain,  of  Wenham, 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Thayer,  in  his  published  sermon  at  the  ordinaticm  of 
his  son,  Rev.  C.  T.  Thayer. 


236  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

made  the  ordaining  prayer  and  gave  the  charge; 
Rev.  Thomas  Barnard,  of  Salem,  gave  the  right  hand 
of  fellov\^ship,  and  Rev.  Nathan  Holt,  of  Danvers, 
made  the  concluding  prayer. 

Mr.  McKean's  salary  was  £200,  and  his  settlement 
£300.  In  1801,  an  addition  of  |200  was  made  to 
the  former.  In  1802,  he  received,  and  after  mature 
consideration,  accepted  an  invitation  to  become  the 
first  president  of  Bowdoin  College,  at  Brunswick, 
Me.  Previously  to  his  acceptance,  he  laid  the  sub- 
ject before  the  parish  and  church,  and  requested  a 
dismission  from  the  pastoral  office.  This  request, 
after  serious  deliberation,  was  granted,  though  the 
greatest  reluctance  was  expressed  to  part  with  a  pas- 
tor and  teacher,  with  whom  they  had  so  long  lived 
in  harmony,  love  and  friendship. 

Rev.  Joseph  McKean  was  born  in  Londonderry, 
N.  H.,  Oct.  15,  1757.  His  immediate  ancestors  were 
from  the  north  of  Ireland,  though  of  Scotch  descent. 
He  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  in  1774, 
and  in  the  summer  of  1780,  resided  at  Cambridge, 
pursuing  the  studies  of  astronomy  and  mathematics, 
for  which  he  had  a  decided  predilection.  For  several 
years  he  taught  a  school  in  his  native  town,  and  was 
for  some  time  an  assistant  in  Phillips'  Academy,  at 
Andover.  He  early  directed  his  attention  to  the 
ministry,  in  which  profession  he  .continued  about 
seventeen  years,  when  he  was  called  to  the  presi- 
dency of  Bowdoin  College.  He  continued  in  this 
office  until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  15,  1807, 
in  the  50th  year  of  his  age,  leaving  the  seminary 
over  which  he  presided,  in  a  very  flourishing  con- 
dition. 

From  his  early  youth  Mr.  McKean  was  strong  and 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  237 

athletic,  able  to  support  fatigue  and  endure  hardship; 
and  in  his  youth  and  long  after,  excelled  in  all  the 
manly  exercises  to  Avhich  the  active  and  hardy  yeo- 
manry of  our  country  were  then  accustomed.  In 
the  year  succeeding  his  settlement  in  the  ministry 
here,  he  was  married  to  Alice  Anderson,  of  London- 
derry, N.  H.  The  children  by  this  marriage,  were 
Joseph,  Nancy,  John,  Mary,  Alice,  Margaret,  James 
and  Alice.  Mr.  McKean  was  of  cheerful  temperament, 
and  devoted  himself  with  unwearied  industry  to  the 
promotion  of  science  and  religion,  while  his  talents 
and  unostentatious  piety  gave  him  an  honorable 
rank' among  the  distinguished  men  of  the  day.  "  He 
had,  from  his  youth,"  says  an  intimate  friend,  "a 
respect  for  the  genuine  simplicity  and  unassuming 
worth  that  distinguished  other  times.  A  puritan  in 
heart,  he  was,  however,  the  gentleman  in  manners. 
His  knowledge  of  the  world,  and  the  peculiar  sweet- 
ness of  his  disposition,  rendered  him  accommodating 
to  all.  Though  naturally  reserved,  perhaps,  he  was 
yet  communicative  in  confidential  intercourse  and 
in  the  exercise  of  his  office.  A  stranger  to  deceit, 
his  language  was  ever  the  expression  of  his  feelings, 
sincere  though    guarded,  warm  and  animated,   but 

never   extravagant His    peculiar    excellency 

seemed  to  be  a  sound,  discriminating  judgment 

He  was  a  humble  pupil  of  the  Redeemer,  and  his 
life  will  rank  among  the  most  consistent,  simple  and 
impressive  examples  of  the  efficacy  of  his  faith."  ^ 

Besides  some  papers  in  the  Transactions  of  the 
American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  Mr.  Mc 
Kean  published  an  election  sermon,  in  1801,  a  sermon 
at  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Rufus  Anderson,  at  North 

*  Eulogy  on  Rev.  Joseph  McKean,  by  William  Jenks,  D.D. 


238  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Yarmouth,  a  sermon  at  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Moore,  at  Newbury,  three  sermons  on  occasions  of 
public  fasting  and  prayer,  and  the  address  delivered  by 
him  at  his  inauguration.  The  fast  sermon  of  April  9th, 
1801,  is  remembered  by  many  now  living.  Its  subject 
was,  speaking  evil  of  rulers;  and  though  suggested 
by  the  political  events  of  the  time,  and  delivered  at  a 
period  of  strong  political  feeling,  the  discourse  was 
generally  well  received,  extensively  read,  and  doubt- 
less exerted  a  favorable  influence  on  the  public  mind. 
After  hearing  several  candidates,  a  call  was  given 
to  and  accepted  by  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot,  who  was  in- 
stalled Dec.  13,  1803.  On  this  occasion,  the  intro- 
ductory prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Ezra  Ripley,  of 
Concord;  sermon  by  Rev.  T.  M.  Harris,  of  Dorches- 
ter; installing  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Fuller,  of  Glou- 
cester; charge  by  Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  of  Lexington; 
right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  Moses  Dow,  of 
Beverly ;,  concluding  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Barnard, 
of  Salem. 

Dr.  Abbot  was  born  in  Andover,  Mass.,  August 
17th,  1770,  and  from  a  pious  mother  early  received 
religious  principles  and  impressions,  which  in  subse^ 
quent  life  imparted  increasing  lustre  to  his  piety. 
His  preparatory  studies  were  pursued  at  Phillips' 
Academy,  under  the  direction  of  the  celebrated  Dr.. 
Pemberton,  during  which  time  he  occupied  the  first 
rank  in  his  class.  He  entered  Harvard  University 
in  1788,  and  graduated  in  1792,  with  distinguished 
honors.  His  literary  reputation  procured  for  him 
the  appointment  to  deliver  the  oration  before  the 
society  of  Phi  Beta  Kappa,  in  1800,  when  he  chose 
for  his  subject,  "A  review  of  the  18th  century." 

Soon  after  leaving  college,  he  was  employed  as  an 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  239 

assistant  in  Phillips'  Academy,  Exeter,  N.  H.,  and 
afterwards  as  principal  of  Phillips'  Academy,  An- 
dover,  during  which  time  he  pursued  his  theological 
studies  with  Rev.  Jonathan  French.  In  1794,  he 
commenced  preaching  at  Haverhill,  and  having  ac- 
cepted a  unanimous  call,  was  ordained  June  3,  1795. 
His  ministry  here  was  harmonious  and  successful  ; 
and  when,  in  1803,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  ask  a  dis- 
mission, he  received  from  the  church  and  society  the 
most  ample  testimonials  of  unabated  love  and  re- 
spect. Previous  to  his  settlement  in  this  town,  he 
was  solicited  to  preach  as  a  candidate  in  the  Brattle- 
street  society,  Boston,  and  proposals  were  also  made 
to  him  from  a  society  in  Providence,  both  of  which 
he  declined.  His  ministry  in  Beverly  was  com- 
menced under  the  disadvantage  of  debility,  and  his 
introductory  sermon,  from  the  words  "  We  all  do 
fade  as  a  leaf,"  was  delivered  under  the  conscious- 
ness that  it  might  be  his  last.  His  health  was  never 
firm,  having  sustained  a  shock  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen, by  inconsiderately  thrusting  his  arm  into  a 
cold  spring  in  the  heat  of  a  summer's  day.  But 
with  an  ardent  mind,  bent  on  high  degrees  of  useful- 
ness, the  effects  of  his  labors  were  early  visible  in 
the  increased  seriousness  of  his  congregation.  In 
1804,  he  writes,  "  My  labors  have  been  apparently 
blest  more  than  in  any  former  period.  The  serious 
of  the  society  have  expressed  to  me  their  joy  and 
gratulation ;  the  whole  assembly  appears  more  sol- 
emn and  attentive  and  full  than  formerly."  In  1805, 
he  writes,  '•  The  additions  to  the  church  in  less  than 
a  year  hav-e  been  nearly  fifty,  and  they  seem  to 
adorn  their  profession."  His  style  of  preaching  was 
practical,  close  of  application  to  the  heart  and  con- 


240  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

duct,  and  was  eminently  successful,  because  often 
founded  on  circumstances  in  the  experience  of  those 
whom  he  addressed. 

In  1806,  he  commenced  delivering  a  course  of  expos- 
itory lectures,  in  the  town-hall,  on  the  history  and  doc- 
trines of  Christ,  which  were  so  numerously  attended  as 
to  render  it  necessary  to  repair  to  the  church.  In  1809, 
he  delivered  the  annuaf  discourse  at  Plymouth  in 
commemoration  of  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  which 
was  published.  The  summer  of  1810  was  marked 
as  a  season  of  religious  interest  in  his  society,  and 
his  acknowledged  ardor  in  the  cause  of  practical 
religion  procured  for  him  at  this  time  the  expressions 
of  affection  and  tenders  of  ministerial  exchanges 
from  those  from  whom  he  differed  materially  in  many 
speculative  points  of  religion.  His  health  becoming 
seriously  affected  in  1818,  he  yielded  to  medical  ad- 
vice, and  sought  its  renovation  in  the  more  genial 
clime  of  the  south.  He  sailed  for  Charleston,  Octo- 
ber 28th,  at  which  port  he  arrived  November  9th, 
after  a  tempestuous  passage,  and  was  cordially  receiv- 
ed by  many  friends  who  were  waiting  his  arrival. 
The  winter  and  succeeding  spring  were  spent  in 
South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Virginia,  where  he 
formed  numerous  acquaintances,  from  whom  he  re- 
ceived the  kindest  attentions,  and  returned  home  with 
hopes  of  health  realized. 

The  season  of  ministerial  life  which  followed  his 
return,  is  to  be  considered,  perhaps,  the  most  labori- 
ous and  successful  of  his  life.  His  preaching  was 
much  enforced  by  considerations  peculiar  to  Christi- 
anity. A  partiality  for  authors  of  the  class  of  Bax- 
ter and  Doddridge,  produced  a  tinge  of  thought  and 
expression  which  gave  interest  to  his  sermons,  and 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  241 

led  to  what  he  deemed  a  more  useful  impression, 
without  the  adoption  of  those  peculiarities  which  he 
might  not  approve.  Whenever  he  deviated  from  the 
accustomed  manner  of  his  preaching,  and  assumed 
topics  bordering  on  the  region  of  controversial  discus- 
sion, it  was  with  the  fixed  design  rather  of  "  preach- 
ing up  his  own  sentiments,  than  of  preaching  down 
the  sentiments  of  other  men."  The  principal  aim  of 
his  discourses,  however,  was  to  produce  serious  im- 
pressions on  the  minds  of  his  hearers,  and  to  lead  them 
to  self-inspection  rather  than  to  investigating  the 
errors  and  censuring  the  motives  of  others. 

In  1818,  he  preached  the  Dudlian  lecture  at  Cam- 
bridge, and  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  in  Divinity 
in  1821.  After  several  years  of  unremitting  labor, 
he  found  himself  obliged  in  1827  to  leave  his  charge 
and  resort  once  more  to  the  south  for  the  recovery  of 
his  health.  He  sailed  from  Boston  October  2Sth,  and 
arrived  at  Charleston  November  6th,  from  which 
place  he  addressed  an  interesting  and  affectionate 
letter  to  his  church  and  congregation.  He  does  not 
appear  to  have  been  sanguine  of  the  favorable  results 
of  this  voyage.  On  a  visit  made  to  him  at  his  re- 
quest by  a  ministering  brother,  a  few  days  before  his 
departure,  "  at  a  time  when  the  heart  has  no  disguise, 
and  the  soul  is  anxious  to  utter  all  that  it  deems  true 
and  kind,  important  and  useful,  he  thus  addressed 
him;  (evidently  with  a  wish  that  it  should  be  remem- 
bered and  at  a  fit  time  communicated.) — '  I  believe 
the  hour  of  my  departure  is  at  hand;  how  near  I 
cannot  say,  but  not  far  distant  is  the  time  when  I 
shall  be  in  the  immediate  presence  of  my  Maker. 
This  impression  leads  me  to  look  back  upon  my  life 
and  inwardly  upon  my  present  state.  In  the  review 
21 


242  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

I  find  many  things  to  be  humbled  and  penitent  for, 
and  many  things  to  fill  me  with  gratitude  and  praise. 
I  have,  I  trust,  the  testimony  of  my  heart,  that  my 
life,  my  best  powers,  my  time,  and  my  efforts,  have 
in  the  main  been  sincerely  given  to  God  and  to  man- 
kind.    Of  all  the  years  of  my  life,  the  present,  in  the 
review,  gives   me   most   pleasure.     You   know   my 
recent  plans  and  labors,  and  the  design  of  them :  [al- 
luding to  discourses  delivered  before  the  convention 
of  ministers,  and  at  the  ordination  of  Rev.  A.  Abbot, 
and  to  certain  contributions  to  a  religious  publication, 
the  Christian  Yisitant,  whose  object  coincided  with 
his  views,  and  to  extend  the  circulation  of  which  he 
was  making  great  efforts.]     In  these,  I  have  endeav- 
ored to  check  the  spirit  of  contention  among  Christ- 
ians, and,  as  a  disciple  of   the  Prince  of  Peace,  to 
diff"use  the  spirit  of  love  and  peace,  to  inspire  Christ- 
ians with  a   warmer   zeal    for   the   great   object  of 
religion.     The   efforts   were   great.     My  health  and 
perhaps  my  life  are  the  sacrifice.     If  the  Lord  will, 
be  it  so.     If  ever  I  faithfully  served  him,  it  was  in 
these  services.     If  ever  I  felt  prepared  for  death,  it 
was  when  they  were  finished.     If  ever  I  knew  and 
felt  the  delightful  import  of  that  passage, — I  am  note 
ready  to  be  offered  and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at 
hand;  I  have  fought  a  good  Jight^  I  have  finished  my 
course.  I  have  kept  the  faith  ^  ij'c,  it  was  then,  and  it 
is  now.     In  my  bosom  there  is  peace.     Whether  life 
or  death  be  before  me,  all  is  well.     I  can  say^  the  will 
of  the  Lord  he  done.     With  the  greatest  serenity  he 
alluded   to  the  expected  issue  of  his  disorder,  and 
seemed  filled   with   a  good  hope  through  grace  of 
eternal  life." 

The  forebodings  of  death  were  soon  realized,  yet 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  243 

not  without  some  encouraging  symptoms  of  return- 
ing health.  Failing  to  realize  the  hopes  of  anxious 
friends,  he  sailed  in  February  for  the  still  milder 
climate  of  Cuba,  from  which  place  he  wrote  a  series 
of  interesting  letters  that  have  since  been  published. 
During  his  residence  here  his  health  apparently  im- 
proved, and  he  indulged  a  hope  that  he  might  be 
spared  to  labor  a  little  longer  in  the  vineyard  of  his 
master.  Anxious  to  return  home,  he  embarked  for 
Charleston,  where  he  arrived  Saturday  morning, 
May  31st,  and  spent  the  day  in  calling  on  numerous 
friends.  On  Sunday  morning  he  attended  Rev.  Mr. 
Oilman's  church,  and  partook  of  the  sacrament.     In 

d  afternoon,  though  complaining  of  the  weariness 
produced  by  the  exertions  of  the  day  before,  he 
preached  with  great  animation  from  the  words, 
*'  God  said  let  there  be  light,"  and  fixed  the  atten- 
tion of  his  audience  by  contrasting  the  spiritual 
darkness  of  the  region  he  had  just  left  behind,  with 
the  light  with  which  our  own  country  is  favored. 

On  Monday  he  embarked  in  the  Othello  for  New 
York.  A  few  days  out  he  showed  signs  of  illness, 
unattended  by  any  alarming  symptoms.  On  Satur- 
day morning,  though  still  languid,  he  rose  early, 
dressed  himself,  and  went  on  deck.  After  reclining 
in  the  cabin  a  short  time,  he  went  on  deck  again 
with  assistance,  where  a  cloak  and  pillows  had  been 
spread  for  him.  After  resting  a  few  moments,  he 
walked  supported  by  the  arm  of  a  friend,  twelve 
times  across  the  deck.  His  respiration  was  observed 
to  be  burdened  and  difficult,  which  was  at  the  time 
ascribed  to  the  bracing  effect  of  the  fresh  air.  But 
immediately  on  sitting  down,  he  was  attacked  with 
bleeding.     He  begged  his  friends  not  to  be  alarmed. 


244  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

said  he  was  aware  that  his  old  spring  complaints  had 
returned  with  violence,  and  requested  that  his  wife 
and  family  might  be  prepared  to  see  him  return  in 
still  feebler  health  than  that  in  which  he  left  them. 
He  afterwards- expressed  the  hope  that  he  should  be 
able  to  write  himself.  As  he  grew  gradually  fainter 
from  the  loss  of  blood,  he  was  asked  by  one  of  the 
passengers,  if  he  felt  alarmed  7  ''No,"  he  replied, 
''  I  am  in  the  hands  of  God,  and  I  trust  he  will  take 
care  of  me."  The  hemorrhage  increasing,  he  said 
no  more,  but  raising  his  eyes  to  heaven,  and  breath- 
ing the  intense  language  of  mental  devotion,  the 
pure  spirit  freed  itself  of  the  body,  the  countenance 
as  serene  and  peaceful  as  when  he  had  that  morning 
been  seen  asleep  in  his  birth.  His  remains  were  in- 
terred on  Staten  Island,  and  an  appropriate  funeral 
service  was  performed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Miller.  Thus, 
in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  ministry  in  this 
town,  and  in  the  57th  year  of  his  age,  was  taken  to 
his  rest  an  eloquent,  learned,  affectionate  and  faith- 
ful minister  of  the  gospel.  On  the  intelligence  of 
his  death  at  Beverly,  the  bells  were  tolled,  a  mourn- 
ful silence  perv^aded  the  streets,  customary  business 
was  in  many  instances  suspended,  and  the  pulpit 
and  church  clothed  in  black  for  forty  days.  Appro- 
priate public  services  were  performed  at  the  request 
of  the  parish,  and  a  discourse  delivered  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Flint  of  Salem,  in  which  the  characteristic  qualities 
of  the  deceased  were  portrayed  with  a  discriminat- 
ing and  affecting  power. 

Dr.  Abbot  was  married  in  1796,  to  Miss  Eunice, 
eldest  daughter  of  Ebenezcr  Wales,  Esq.  of  Dor- 
chester. In  the  commencement  of  his  ministry  he 
entertained  a  belief  in   the  Trinity,  but  on  this  sub- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  245 

ject  his  views  altered,  and  the  fundamental  princi- 
ples of  Unitarian  belief  became  the  objects  of  his 
decided  conviction.  His  pubUcations  consist  of  eight 
sermons  preached  on  particular  occasions,  an  eulogy 
on  the  character  of  Washington,  a  discourse  at 
Plymouth  on  the  188th  anniversary  of  the  landing 
of  our  forefathers,  a  temperance  address,  discourses 
on  Baptism,  a  volume  of  sermons  to  mariners,  the 
Parent's  Assistant  and  Sunday-school  book,  an  ad- 
dress before  the  Berry  street  conference,  and  a  vol- 
ume of  letters  from  Cuba.  After  his  decease  a  vol- 
ume of  his  sermons  was  published,  to  which  is  pre- 
lixed  a  memoir  of  the  author.  From  that  memoir, 
the  preceding  notice  has  been  principally  compiled. 

Dr.  Abbot  was  succeeded  by  the  present  minister, 
Rev.  Christopher  T.  Thayer,  of  Lancaster,  a  gradu- 
ate of  Harvard  University,  who  was  ordained  Jan. 
27,  1830.  The  services  of  his  ordination  were  as 
follows  :  introductory  prayer  and  reading  the  scrip- 
tures.=^  by  Rev.  Mr.  Loring ;  sermon  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Thayer,  father  of  the  pastor  elect ;  ordaining  prayer 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Lowell ;  charge  by  Rev.  Dr.  Bancroft ; 
right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  Mr.  Lothrop  ;  ad- 
dress to  the  society  by  Rev.  Dr.  Flint;  concluding 
prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Bartlett. 

Having  thus  completed  the  history  of  the  several 
former  ministers  in   the  first  parish,  we  return  to  no- 

*  The  scriptures  were  first  publicly  read  in  the  first  church,  May 
2d,  1773,  about  which  time  the  copy  now  in  use  was  purchased.  It 
is  a  folio  volume,  and  was  printed  in  London  by  Thomas  Baskett, 
1759.  It  contains,  besides  the  canonical  books  of  the  old  and  new 
Testament,  the  apocrypha,  the  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England, 
including  the  Psalter,  the  whole  of  Psalms  set  to  metre  by  Sternhold 
&  Hopkins,  a  copious  index,  and  a  concordance  by  John  Downan. 

21* 


246  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

tice  its  houses  of  worship.  The  first  was  erected  in 
1656,  near  the  old  burial-ground,  and  not  far  from 
the  site  of  the  first  parish  vestry.  Of  its  dimensions 
there  is  no  account.  This  house  was  variously- 
altered  from  time  to  time,  for  the  accommodation  of 
an  increasing  congregation.  In  1671,  liberty  was 
granted  to  certain  females  wanting  seats,  to  build 
three  at  their  own  charge.  Richard  Brackenbury 
and  Samuel  Corning,  sen.  "had  leave  to  make  a 
seat  at  the  north  end  of  the  pulpit,"  and  Mrs.  Hale, 
the  pastor's  wife,  had  "liberty  to  make  a  seat  where 
she  now  sitteth,  it  not  being  prejudicial  to  the  rest." 
A  gallery  was  also  authorized  to  be  built  on  the  east 
side  of  the  rheeting-house,  and  Humphrey  Wood- 
berry,  John  West  and  John  Raiment,  who  undertook 
the  work,  were  "  to  have  each  of  them  a  seat  in  the 
fore-seat  for  their  trouble."  In  1672,  "  it  was  agreed 
that  the  meeting-house  be  ceiled  up  to  the  wall- 
plates,  rabbitted,  and  the  windows  glazed."  Mrs. 
Lothrop  likewise  "  had  liberty  to  make  a  seat  con- 
venient by  the  chief  pillar." 

This  house  continued  to  be  used  about  twenty-five 
years,  when  the  parish  having  so  increased  in  num- 
bers as  to  render  it  inadequate  for  their  accommoda- 
tion, it  was  sold  with  the  exception  of  the  pulpit, 
for  £7. 10s,  and  in  1682  a  new  house  was  erected, 
fifty  feet  in  length  and  forty  feet  in  width.  It  stood 
on  the  site  occupied  by  the  first  parish  meeting-house 
at  the  present  time,  and  the  terms  of  contract  for 
building  were  "  £370  in  silver,  the  one  half  to  be  paid 
at  the  raising,  and  the  other  half  at  the  delivery  of 
the  key;  otherwise  £550,  the  one  half  in  Indian 
corn,  and  the  other  half  in  pork  at  prices  current, 
the  one  half  to  be  paid  at  the  next  May  day,  and 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  247 

the  other  at  Michelmas."  This  house,  like  the  first, 
was  used  for  the  transaction  of  pubhc  business,  and 
besides  the  alterations  and  improvements  made  at 
various  times,  a  powder  room  was  buih  in  it  in 
1727,  for  the  safe-keeping  of  the  ammunition  belong- 
ing to  the  town.* 


In  1753,  the  population  of  the  parish  was  about 
1300  souls,  and  a  necessity  was  felt  for  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  meeting-house,  or  the  building  of  anoth- 
er. The  house  was  examined  by  a  committee,  who 
made  a  report  adverse  to  enlarging,  and  recommend- 
ed building.  This  question  was  agitated  about  nine 
years ;  and  June  27,  1770,  the  house  was  taken 
down  to  make  room  for  the  third,  having  stood  near- 
ly eighty-nine  years.  While  destitute  of  a  house  of 
worship,  divine  service  was  attended  under  a  large 
mulberry  tree  in  front  of  Mr.  Champney's  house,  at 

*  As  fires  at  this  time  were  never  kindled  in  the  meeting-house, 
it  was  considered  the  safest  place  to  deposit  powder.  The  sacred- 
ness  of  the  place  did  not,  however,  allay  the  fears  of  the  congrega- 
tion, 


248  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

the  north-east  corner  of  the  common,  near  the  burial- 
gromid. 

The   third  meeting-house   was  erected  under  the 
superintendence   of  Henry  Herrick,    James   Wood- 
berry,  Joseph  Corning,  Samuel  Goodridge,  and  Lar- 
kin  Thorndike.     It  was  7Q  feet  long,   53  feet  wide, 
and  28  feet  stud.     The  tower  at  the  westerly  end 
was  15  feet  square,  and  the  porch  at  the  eastern  end 
14  feet  square.    Two  rows  of  pews,  sixty  in  number, 
were  built  round  the  wall,  on  the  floor  of  the  house  ; 
and  the  area,  separated  in  the  centre  by  an  aisle  run- 
ning from  the  front  door  to  the  pulpit,  was  filled  with 
free  seats,  for  the  accommodation  of  those  who  did 
not  choose  to  sit  in  pews.     The  pulpit  was  on  the 
north  side  of  the  house,  opposite   "  the  great  door;" 
beneath  it  was   the  elders'  seat,  and  lower  still  the 
deacons'  seat.     The  gallery  contained  twenty-seven 
wall  pews,  and  seats  were  appropriated  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  colored  persons.     The  cost  of  the 
house  was  about  £1300,  or  $4,333,33.     Pews  were 
subsequently  built,   from   time  to  time,  until  1795, 
when  the  house  was  enlarged,  by  dividing  it  through 
the  centre   and  inserting  twenty  feet.     On  the  area 
thus  formed,  twenty-seven  pews  were  built,  and  eight 
additional   pews  in  the  gallery.     The  deacons'  seat 
was  removed,  and  the  elders'  seat  contrived  for  their 
accommodation.     An  additional  front  door  was  open- 
ed, and  a  portico  of  30  feet  front,  supported  by  four 
pillars,  and  covering  both  entrances,  was  built.    The 
whole  cost  of  enlarging,  painting  and  repairing  the 
house,  was  $3,428,15,  and  the  work  was  executed 
under  the  superintendence  of  Joseph  Wood,  John 
Stephens,  and  Josiah  Gould. 

In  1835,  the  house  was  remodelled,  to  conform  to 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  249 

the  improved  taste  displayed  in  public  buildings,  at 
an  expense  of  ^10,000.  The  whole  interior  was  re- 
moved ;  the  steeple,  with  its  gilded  chanticleer,  was 
severed  from  the  main  body,  and  fell  with  a  tremen- 
dous crash  ;  the  eastern  porch  was  taken  away,  and 
converted  into  a  shop  for  mechanical  purposes ; 
and  the  stout  oak  frame,  which  had  borne  the  storms 
of  more  than  sixty  years,  was  alone  retained.  The 
style  of  architecture  is  Grecian.  The  front  presents 
a  handsome  portico,  sustained  by  large  fluted  col- 
umns. The  entrance  is  by  three  doors,  opening  into 
a  spacious  porch,  from  which  the  gallery  is  reached 
by  two  flights  of  stairs.  The  pulpit,  at  the  eastern 
end,  is  finely  proportioned,  and  built  of  mahogany. 
The  orchestra  is  furnished  with  an  excellent-toned 
organ;  and  the  cupola  with  a  clock  of  Willard's 
manufacture,  and  a  bell  weighing  1244  lbs.=^  The 
improvements  reflect  much  credit  on  the  taste  and 
the  public  spirit  of  the  parish. 

In  1842,  the  interior  of  the  house  was  painted  in 
fresco,  by  Mr.  Thomas  Coleman.  The  walls  are 
ornamented  with  pilasters  and  panels,  and  the  ceil- 
ing with  oblong  panels, -terminating  in  the  centre, 
which  gives  a  pleasing  effect.  Behind  the  pulpit  is 
a  painting  emblematic  of  the  light  of  Christianity 
breaking  upon  the  darkness  of  the  world,  and  scat- 
tering the  clouds  of  ignorance,  superstition,  suffering 
and  sin.  Altogether,  for  beauty  and  convenience, 
this  church  is  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  county ; 
and  by  few,  if  any,  in  this  country. 

The  structure  of  the  first  and  second  houses  of 
worship  must  have  been  exceedingly  plain,  and 
would  have  rudely  contrasted  with  the  architecture 

*  This  clock  was  procured  in  1796,  at  tlie  charge  of  the  parish. 


250  HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY. 

of  the  present  day.  The  whole  frame- work  was  vis- 
ible to  the  very  '^  ridge-pole,"  for  it  was  not  until 
forty-four  years  after  the  second  house  was  erected, 
(1726,)  that  measures  were  taken  to  lay  a  floor 
"  upon  the  beams  with  boards  and  joist."  A  coat  of 
whitewash  served  as  a  substitute  for  paint;  "laths 
and  plaster"  were  dispensed  with,  as  superfluous ; 
and  the  introduction  of  a  stove,  for  the  purpose  of 
rendering  the  house  comfortable  during  the  winter 
months,  would  probably  have  been  regarded  as  an 
imputation  upon  the  piety  of  the  congregation.  In- 
deed, warming  the  meeting-house  is  quite  a  modern 
innovation ;  and  within  twenty-  five  years  past,  the 
little  "foot-stove"  was  considered  as  essential  an 
element  of  a  lady's  sabbath  paraphernalia  as  the 
muff"  and  hymn-book. 

The  first  departure  from  the  primitive  simplicity  of 
long  seats,  in  the  occupancy  of  which  the  sexes  were 
not  permitted  to  mingle,  appeared  in  the  erection  of 
the  square  pew,  with  its  open-work  top,  through 
which  graceless  urchins  played  at  "  bo-peep"  with 
others  graceless  as  themselves,  and  its  "leaning- 
board"  and  "hinge-seats,"  whose  "  slam  down,"  at  the 
close  of  each  prayer,  produced  reports  not  dissimilar 
to  the  irregular  musketry  of  undisciplined  militia. 
In  these  enclosures  favored  individuals  gathered  their 
families  around  them,  to  the  scandal,  doubtless,  of 
many  envious  spirits.  But  time  and  fashion  have 
changed,  and  these  "  chief  seats"  have  given  place 
to  the  more  convenient  slip-pew. 

Of  bells,  including  the  one  already  mentioned,  there 
have  been  five.  The  first,  as  before  stated,  was  ob- 
tained by  Capt.  Lothrop,  from  a  Catholic  friary  at 
Port  Royal,  in  the  expedition  of  1656,  and  presented 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  261 

by  him  to  the  parish.  The  second  was  purchased 
by  the  parish,  in  1685-6.  It  weighed  109  lbs.,  and 
cost  £13.  12s.  6d.  The  third,  weighing  267  lbs.,  was 
the  gift  of  Robert  Briscoe,*  in  1712,  which,  as  was 
probably  the  case  with  its  predecessors,  was  hung 
over  the  centre  of  the  house,  so  that  the  bell-rope 
came  down  into  the  broad  aisle.  The  fourth,  weigh- 
ing 1387  lbs.,  was  imported  from  London,  but  was 
soon  cracked,  and  gave  place  to  the  fifth  and  present 
one  in  1803,  weighing  1244  lbs.,  of  the  manufacture 
of  Paul  Revere  &  Son,  of  Boston. 

Among  the  municipal  regulations  of  the  parish, 
those  for  seating  the  meeting  were  not  the  least  im- 
portant. The  first  record  relating  to  this  subject  is 
in  1671,  when  Roger  Conant,  Wm.  Dixey  and  Richard 
Brackenbury  were  "joined  with  the  selectmen  to 
seat  all  the  married  persons  in  the  meeting-house." 
Committees  were  chosen  for  this  purpose  from  time 
to  time,  who  probably  were  governed  by  various 
rules  until  after  the  second  house  of  worship  was 
erected,  when  a  regular  system  was  drawn  up  by 
Col.  Hale  and  adopted.     This  system  provided — 

"  That  every  male  be  allowed  one  degree  for  every 
complete  year  of  age  he  exceeds  twenty-one. 

"  That  he  be  allowed  for  a  captain's  commission 
twelve  degrees;  for  a  lieutenant's,  eight  degrees,  and 
for  an  ensign's,  four  degrees. 

"  That  he  be  allowed  three  degrees  for  every  shil- 
ling for  real  estate  in  the  last  parish  tax,  and  one  de- 
gree for  every  shilling  for  personal  estate  and  faculty. 

"  Every  six  degrees  for  estate  and  faculty  of  a  pa- 
rent alive,  to  make  one  degree  among  his  sons,  or 
where  there  is  none,  among  the  daughters  that  are 
seated. 


252  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

''Every  generation  of  predecessors  heretofore  liv- 
ing in  this  town,  to  make  one  degree  for  every  male 
descendant  that  is  seated.  That  parentage  be  re- 
garded no  farther  otherwise  than  to  turn  the  scale 
between  competition  for  the  same  seat. 

"  That  taxes  for  polls  of  sons  and  servants  shall 
give  no  advancement  for  masters  or  fathers,  because 
such  sons  or  servants  have  seats. 

"That  no  degree  be  allowed  on  account  of  any 
one's  predecessors  having  paid  towards  building  the 
meeting-house,  because  it  had  fallen  down  before 
now,  but  for  the  repairs  since  made. 

"  That  some  suitable  abatement  in  degrees  be 
made,  where  it  is  well  known  the  person  is  greatly 
in  debt. 

"  That  the  tenant  of  a  freehold  for  term  of  years 
shall  be  allowed  as  many  degrees  as  half  the  real 
estate  entitles  him  to,  and  the  landlord  the  other 
half 

"  That  the  proprietor  of  land  in  any  other  parish 
shall  be  (if  under  his  own  improvement")  allowed  as 
much  as  he  would  be  if  they  lay  in  the  parish  ;  but 
if  rented  out,  only  half  as  much. 

"  Married  women  to  be  seated  agreeable  to  the 
rank  of  their  husbands,  and  widows  in  the  same  de- 
gree as  though  their  husbands  were  yet  living. 

"  That  the  foremost  magistrate  seat  (so  called) 
shall  be  the  highest  in  rank,  and  the  other  three  in 
successive  order. 

"  That  the  next  in  rank  shall  be  in  the  foremost  of 
the  front  seats  below,  then  the  fore-seat  in  the  front- 
gallery,  then  the  fore-seat  in  the  side-gallery. 

'^That  the   side-seat  below  shall   be  for  elderly 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  253 

men,  the  foremost  first  or  highest,  and  the  others  in 
order. 

"  That  the  seats  behind  the  fore-front  seat  below, 
shall  be  for  middle-aged  men,  according  to  their 
degree. 

''  That  the  second  or  third  seats  m  the  front  and 
side  galleries  shall  be  for  younger  men,  to  rank  al- 
ternately the  second  from  before  first,  and  the  third 
next." 

The  women  were  seated  separately  from  the  men. 

Upon  these  principles,  three  hundred  and  thirty- 
two  men  and  three  hundred  and  twenty-one  women 
were  seated,  and  their  names  recorded, — at  the  head 
of  which  stands  the  name  of  Col.  Robert  Hale,  who, 
with  Robert  Haskell,  Joshua  Herrick,  Robert  Mor- 
gan, James  Woodberry,  Benj.  Cleaves  and  Henry 
Herrick,  occupied  the  first  seat. 

Those  who  are  disposed  to  ridicule  a  practice 
which  imperfectly  accords  with  later  ideas  of  repub- 
lican equality,  should  remember  that  it  was  in  uni- 
son with  pubhc  sentiment  at  the  time,  and  that  when 
seats  were  free,  some  system  for  assigning  them,  sanc- 
tioned by  the  parish,  was  necessary  to  preserve  har- 
.mony  among  their  occupants.  Nor  is  the  assign- 
ment of  the  first  seat  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  who  draft- 
ed the  plan,  to  be  regarded  as  an  assumption  or  the 
result  of  design,  as,  under  any  previous  rule,  his 
office,  wealth  and  service  would  have  commanded  it. 

The  unsocial  method  of  seating  the  meeting  ne- 
cessarily separated  the  heads  of  families  from  their 
children,  who  were  placed  on  benches  in  the  aisles, 
or  required  to  sit  on  the  pulpit  stairs.  As  might  be 
expected,  this  arrangement  was  fruitful  of  disturb- 
ance alike  annoying  to  the  minister  and  scandalous 
22 


254  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

in  the  eyes  of  ihe  devout.  To  remedy  the  evil,  Feb. 
9,  1676,  it  was  '•  ordered  by  the  selectmen,  that  the 
hinder  seats  of  the  elders'  gallery  is  to  be  altered, 
and  the  boys  are  to  set  there,  and  Robert  Hubbard, 
sen.  to  have  an  eye-out  for  them,  and  for  the  first 
offence  to  acquaint  their  parents  or  masters  of  it,  and 
if  they  do  offend  again,  to  acquaint  the  selectmen  with 
it,  who  shall  deal  with  them  according  to  law.'^  And 
again,  Jan.  11,  1698-9,  it  was  "voted  by  the  town, 
that  the  selectmen  make  such  orders  as  convenient 
for  the  prevention  of  boys  and  idle  persons  from  set- 
ting in  such  places,  in  our  meeting-house,  wherein 
they  are  out  of  public  view,  and  so  in  time  of  public 
worship  to  spend  much  of  their  time  in  play  and 
disorder." 

Displays  of  juvenile  irreverence  were  not  peculiar 
to  Beverly.  In  Salem,  April  20th,  1676,  it  was  "or- 
dered, that  all  ye  boys  of  ye  towne  are  and  shall  bee 
appointed  to  sitt  upon  ye  three  paire  of  staires  in  ye 
meeting-house  on  ye  Lord's  day,  and  Wm.  Lord  is 
appointed  to  look  to  ye  boyes  yt  sitt  upon  ye  pulpit 
staires,  and  for  ye  other  staires  Reuben  Guppy  is  to 
look  to  and  order  soe  many  of  ye  boyes  as  may  be 
convenient,  and  if  any  are  unruly,  to  present  their 
names  as  ye  law  directs."  * 

In  some  places,  at  a  still  earlier  period,  it  was  cus- 
tomary, during  the  public  service,  for  a  person  to  go 
about  the  meeting-house  to  wake  the  sleepers.  He 
bore  a  long  wand,  on  one  end  of  which  was  a  ball, 
and  on  the  other  a  fox-tail.  When  he  observed  the 
men  asleep,  he  rapped  them  on  the  head  with  the 
knob ;  and  roused  the  slumbering  sensibilities  of  the 

*  Annals  of  Salem. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  255 

ladies   by  drawing  the  brush  slightly  across  their 
faces.  =^ 

The  musical  exercises  of  the  sanctuary,  according 
to  the  custom  of  the  times,  were  conducted  by  one  of 
the  deacons,  who  officiated  as  chorister  to  the  con- 
gregation. He  read  the  hymn  line  by  line  and  "  set 
the  tune,"  in  which  each  member  joined  "  by  rote,"  in 
key  and  measure  not  always  the  most  exact  or  harmo- 
nious. Probably,  as  musical  taste  improved,  this  des- 
ultory practice  fell  into  disrepute  ;  as,  by  a  vote  in 
1764,  the  deacons  were  authorized  to  select  singers, 
and  seats  were  appropriated  to  their  use,  "  that  the 
spirit  of  singing  psalms  might  be  revived,  and  that 
part  of  worship  conducted  with  more  regularity." 
This  arrangement  continued  until  1774,  when  a  choir 
was  regularly  installed  in  "  the  front  seats  of  the 
south  gallery,"  and  authorized,  "  by  vote  of  the  par- 
ish, to  pitch  the  tune  and  take  the  lead  in  singing." 
In  1766,  an  improvement  was  attempted  by  the  in- 
troduction of  Watts'  psalms  and  hymns,  but  not, 
however,  without  strong  expression  of  dissatisfac- 
tion from  those  attached  to  the  old  version  then  in 
use.  In  the  course  of  the  succeeding  fourteen  years 
several  ineffectual  attempts  were  made  to  abolish  the 
practice  of  "deaconing"  the  psalm;  but,  in  1780, 
the  spirit  of  compromise  led  to  the  vote  "that  the 
psalms  be  sung  in  the  congregation  in  the  forenoon,  by 
reading  line  by  line,  and  in  the  afternoon  without  such 
reading."  This  compromise  was  of  short  duration. 
The  friends  of  the  ancient  order,  in  yielding  a  part, 
paved  the  way  for  the  loss  of  the  whole,  and,  sus- 
tained by  the  current  opinion,  the  entire  service  soon 
devolved  on  the  choir,  as  now  constituted. 

*  Lewis'  Hist.  Lynn. 


256  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 


THE    SECOND    PARISH. 

The  second  or  north  parish,  known  as  "  Tfie  Pre- 
cinct of  Salem  and  Beverly ^^^  was  incorporated  by- 
act  of  the  General  Court,  in  October,  1713.  Previ- 
ously to  this,  in  1711,  the  town  of  Salem,  which  then 
included  the  whole  of  Rial-side  and  Conant-street, 
or  in  other  Avords,  the  entire  territory  west  of  the 
brook  near  the  residence  of  Major  John  Conant, 
"  voted,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Rial-side  be  allowed, 
with  some  of  their  neighbors  of  the  Village,  and  also 
of  Beverly,  to  build  a  meeting-house  near  Horse- 
bridge,  on  the  line  between  Salem  and  Beverly." 

The  formation  of  a  second  parish  did  not  receive 
the  unanimous  approbation  of  the  town,  and  at  a 
meeting  held  Dec.  19  following,  it  was  "  voted,^  that 
Deacon  Samuel  Balch,  Joseph  Herrick  and  Robert 
Woodberry  are  chosen  as  agents  for  the  town,  to 
make  objections  against  the  prayer  of  the  petition  of 
some  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  northerly  part  of  Bev- 
erly and  the  inhabitants  of  Rial-side,  in  Salem,  and 
some  of  the  inhabitants  of  Salem  Village ;  said  pe- 
tition bearing  date  Oct.  23,  1712,  and  preferred  by 
them  before  the  Great  and  General  Court,  Oct.  25, 
1712,  the  town  being  now  served  with  a  copy  of  said 
petition,  by  order  of  said  Court."  One  objection  of- 
fered to  granting  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners,  was, 
that  some  living  within  the  limits  of  the  proposed 
parish,  were  unwilling  to  leave  their  minister,  Mr. 
Blowers.  The  remonstrance  failed  of  its  object,  and 
the  decision  of  the  General  Court  was  acquiesced  in. 

On  the  13th  Nov.  1713,  a  meeting  was  held  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  new  precinct,  to  take  preliminary 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  257 

sleps  for  erecting  a  house  of  worship.  A  committee, 
consisting  of  Nathaniel  Hayward,  Joseph  Herrick. 
Thomas  Rayment,  John  Trask,  Jonathan  Rayment, 
Edward  Rayment,  John  Rea,  Jonathan  Dodge,  and 
Andrew  Dodge,  was  chosen  to  carry  the  vote  of  the 
meeting  into  effect;  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting, 
£350  were  voted  to  be  raised,  "to  be  improved  for 
building  a  house  for  the  public  worship  of  God,  and 
to  purchase  land  for  the  use  of  the  people  of  said 
precinct." 

The  dimensions  of  the  house  were  ordered  to  be 
fifty  feet  in  length  and  forty  in  width,  if  the  timber 
which  had  been  procured  would  admit  of  it.  The 
largest  sums  paid  towards  building  it  were  by  Dea. 
Jonathan  Conant,  who  paid  £25  13s.  3d.,  and  Cap- 
tain Thomas  Rayment,  who  paid  £20  10s.  In  the 
course  of  the  season  the  house  was  erected,  and  fitted 
for  public  worship.  Its  interior  partook  of  primitive 
simplicity.  Long  rows  of  substantial  seats  filled  the 
area,  but  in  progress  of  time  they  were  displaced  by 
"  square  pews,"  a  few  of  which  at  an  early  day  were 
built  against  the  wall.  The  oaken  pulpit  was  in 
excellent  keeping  with  the  massive  frame-work  that 
economy  left  naked,  and  the  "deacons'  seat"  was 
of  such  ample  dimensions  as  became  the  dignity  of 
its  occupants.  At  first,  there  was  no  steeple  or  bell, 
but  simply  a  turret  at  the  west  end.  A  porch  at  the 
east  end  was  built  about  the  year  1771,  by  Caleb 
Dodge,  at  his  own  expense,  for  which  the  parish 
granted  him  a  pew  privilege  in  the  south-east  corner 
of  the  house.  Previously  to  the  erection  of  this 
porch,  the  women's  entrance  to  the  gallery  was  by  a 
flight  of  stairs  in  the  corner.  In  1751,  it  was  voted 
22* 


258  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

to  build  a  steeple,  and  purchase  a  bell  of  about  400 
cwt. 

In  1715,  after  a  season  of  fasting  and  prayer,  a 
call  to  settle  in  the  ministry  was  voted  to  Mr.  John 
Chipman.  The  call  was  secured  by  the  vote  of  Mrs. 
Mary  Woodberry,  who  owned  considerable  property 
in  the  parish,  and  had  probably  contributed  towards 
defraying  the  expenses  of  erecting  the  meeting-house. 
Her  interest  in  the  result  was  doubtless  the  cause  of 
her  being  present  at  the  meeting ;  and  her  exercise 
of  a  franchise,  novel  in  that  day,  settled  for  more 
than  half  a  century  a  question  of  vital  moment  to 
the  church  and  society. 

Mr.  Chipman's  salary  was  fixed  at  £60  per  annum, 
to  be  increased,  in  event  of  marriage,  £5  annually, 
till  it  amounted  to  £80.  He  was  to  receive  £100 
settlement,  besides  one  acre  of  land  in  fee  simple, 
and  the  "  stranger's  money  "  as  a  perquisite.^ 

This  call,  Mr.  Chipman  accepted,  in  the  following 
note  : 

Beverly,  Nov.  8,  1715.  Whereas  my  answer  relating  to  yc 
votes  passed  by  you  for  ye  encouragement  of  my  settlement  was 
conditional,  and  the  conditions  on  your  part  being  performed  (as 
by  record  appears)  to  my  acceptance, — these  are  to  signifie  to  you 
tliat  I  do  accept  thereof,  and  engage  to  settle  with  you,  and  (by 
divine  assistance)  to  serve  you  in  ye  ministry  of  ye  Gospel,  offici- 
ating in  all  ye  service  that  shall  be  incumbent  on  me,  as  preach- 
ing, catechising  the  youth,  &c. 

To  the  Clerk  of  the  Precinct  of  Salem  and  )  j^^^  Chipman. 
Beverly,  to  be  communicated  to  said  Precinct.   ) 

*  "  Stranger^ 3  money. ^^  It  was  customary  for  a  box  to  be  placed 
near  the  door  of  the  meeting-house,  into  which  strangers  put  money 
on  the  sabbath,  on  the  principle,  it  is  presumed,  that  every  person 
was  morally  obligated  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  public  worship. 
The  sum  thus  obtained  was  usually  paid  over  to  the  minister,  in  ad- 
dition to  his  salary. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  259 

On  the  28tli  Dec.  1715,  Mr.  Chipman  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  previously  to  which,  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer  was  observed.  Before 
proceeding  to  ordination,  a  church  was  organized 
and  publicly  acknowledged,  and  the  covenant  signed 
by  the  following  persons  :— John  Chipman,  Edward 
Dodge,  Jonathan  Rayment,  Joseph  Dodge,  Jonathan 
Dodge,  Josiah  Woodberry,  Elisha  Dodge,  Nehemiah 
Wood,  John  Dodge,  sen.,  John  Leach,  Joseph  Her- 
rick,  John  Cresey,  Jacob  Griggs,  John  Brown  and 
Moses  Fluant.  The  covenant  was  drawn  up  by  Mr. 
Chipman,  and  continued  in  use  for  seventy  years, 
until  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Daniel  Oliver,  when  it 
was  superseded  by  one  framed  by  him.  In  1831,  the 
church  unanimously  agreed,  "  that  the  church  may 
hereafter  be  built  up  upon  the  platform  drawn  up  by 
Rev.  John  Chipman,  at  its  organization,  Dec.  28, 
1715  "  ;  and  accordingly  the  formulary  prepared  by 
Mr.  Oliver  from  that  time  ceased  to  be  used. 

In  the  services  of  ordination,  the  charge  was  given 
by  Rev.  Joseph  Gerrish,  of  Wenham ;  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  Thomas  Blowers,  of  the 
first  parish  in  Beverly,  who,  together  with  Rev, 
Geo.  Curwan,  of  the  first  church  in  Salem,  and  Rev. 
Benj.  Prescott,  of  the  third  church  in  Salem,  laid 
on  hands 

On  the  11th  Jan.  1716,  the  church  held  its  first 
meeting, — at  which  John  Cresey  was  chosen  the  first 
deacon.  At  the  same  meeting  "it  was  voted,  that  a 
relation  of  experiences  shall  be  made  in  public,  by 
such  persons  as  shall  be  admitted  to  communion  with 
us  at  the  table  of  the  Lord,"  and  that  in  admitting 
persons  to  full  communion,  the  "  brethren  may  sig- 
nify their  consent  by  the  vote  of  the  hand."    The  vote 


260  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

in  relation  to  experiences  (though  not  designed,) 
seems  after  a  series  of  years  to  have  been  construed 
as  part  of  the  covenant  and  consequently  constitut- 
ing a  term  of  communion, — and  as  such,  evidently 
conflicting  with  the  clause  in  the  covenant  which 
sets  forth  faith  and  repentance  and  an  unblamable 
walk  and  conversation,  as  the  only  test  of  fitness  for 
christian  fellowship.  This  misapprehension  led  to 
a  meeting  in  1755,  to  "  explain  and  settle  the  terms 
of  communion." 

It  was  considered  that  one  article  of  the  solemn 
covenant  which  this  church  entered  into  with  God, 
and  with  each  other,  at  their  first  embodying,  on  the 
28th  Dec.  1715,  stands  recorded  in  these  words,  viz : 
"  We  promise  also  to  admit  to  our  communion  such 
as  shall  desire  to  join  themselves  to  us,  if  by  a  pro- 
fession of  their  faith  and  repentance,  and  unblamable 
walk  and  conversation,  they  may  in  charitable  dis- 
cretion be  accounted  qualified  for  it."  It  being  also 
considered,  that  there  was  a  "  vote  passed  by  this 
church,  Jan.  11, 1715-16,  in  these  words,  viz  :  '  That 
a  relation  of  experiences  shall  be  made  in  public,  by 
such  persons  as  shall  be  admitted  to  the  table  of  the 
Lord,'  which  vote  seems  to  be  dissonant  from  said 
article,  and  carries  a  face  on  it  as  though  we  required 
some  further  term  of  communion  with  us  than  what 
is  expressed  in  said  article  in  our  covenant :  This 
church  therefore  thinks  it  expedient  to  declare,  that 
we  have  from  our  very  first  beginning,  which  is  more 
than  thirty-nine  years  past,  insisted  on  no  other  terms 
of  communion  with  us  than  what  are  expressed  in 
the  said  article  in  our  covenant,  but  have  received 
many  persons  to  our  communion  at  the  table  of  the 
Lord,  who  have  made  no  relation  of  their  experiences 


HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY.  261 

in  public,  but  only  a  profession  of  their  faith  and 
repentance  : — Wherefore  voted, 

"  1st.  That  as  this  church  has  ever  interpreted  the 
vote  aforesaid  as  permissive,  and  riot  as  compulsive^ 
so  we  do  not  now,  nor  will  we  for  the  future,  insist 
on  any  other  terms  of  communion  with  us  than  those 
expressed  in  said  article  in  our  covenant;  and  yet, 
that  any  person  who  upon  his  coming  into  commu- 
nion with  us,  shall  be  desirous  of  making  a  relation 
of  his  experience  in  public,  shall  have  liberty  so 
to  do. 

"2dly.  Voted,  that  any  person  desirous  to  join 
himself  to  this  church,  shall  have  liberty  to  manifest 
his  faith  and  repentance  either  orally  before  the  church, 
or  by  writing,  to  be  read  to  the  church,  or  privately  to 
the  pastor,  to  be  by  him  communicated  to  the  church 
in  the  substance  of  it,  the  person  owning  befgre  the 
church  that  which  shall  be  read  or  communicated  by 
the  pastor."  This  liberal  course  the  church  never  de- 
viated from  until  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Daniel  Oliver. 

The  first  person  received  to  the  church  after  its 
organization,  was  Jonathan  Dodge,  jr.  The  first 
adult  baptized,  was  John  Frost,  and  the  second  was 
Joseph  Reed,  a  negro  freeman,  who  was  at  the  same 
time  admitted  to  full  communion.  April  22,  1716, 
twenty  persons  were  received  from  the  first  church  in 
Beverly,  and  three  from  the  church  in  Wenham. 
The  names  of  the  persons  received  from  the  first 
church  were 

Nathaniel  Hay  ward  and  his  wife  Elizabeth  ;  Ne- 
hemiah  Hay  ward  and  Bethiah  his  wife;  Sarah,  wife 
of  Deacon  John  Cresey  ;  Mary,  wife  of  Lt.  Rayment ; 
Sarah  Woodberry  ;  Mary,  wife  of  Edward  Dodge  ; 
Eleanour,  wife  of  Jacob  Griggs  ;  Mary,  wife  of  Eli- 


262  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

sha  Dodge  ;  Mary,  wife  of  Moses  Fluant ;  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  John  Dodge  ;  Sarah,  wife  of  Jonathan  Ray- 
ment;  Mary  Woodberry,  Alice  Woodberry;  Jerusha, 
wife  of  Jonathan  Dodge  sen. ;  Lydia,  wife  of  Josiah 
Woodberry;  Mary,  wife  of  Roger  Conant ;  Susanna, 
wife  of  Nehemiah  Wood ;  and  Patience  Woodberry. 
From  Wenham,  Sarah,  wife  of  Jonah  Dodge  ;  Filiza, 
wife  of  Jonathan  Dodge,  jr.,  and  Abigail  Trillmore. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church,  April  26,  1722,  Jona- 
than Rayment  was  chosen  deacon.  At  the  same 
meeting  it  was  voted,  that  "  whereas  there  are  divers 
members  of  other  churches  cohabiting  with  us,  and 
every  way  appertaining  and  belonging  to  us,  saving 
that  they  yet  neglect  to  put  themselves  under  the 
watch  and  care  of  this  church  by  coming  in  fully  into 
the  covenant  and  communion  with  us  as  a  particular 
church  of  Christ :  Wherefore,  voted,  that  the  dea- 
cons of  the  church  be  desired  to  discourse  (with) 
those  members  of  other  churches,  and  to  endeavor  to 
persuade  them  to  come  up  fully  to  their  duty  in  this 
article,  that  their  communion  with  us  may  be  more 
fully  stated  and  regular." 

In  1727,  twenty-five  were  added  to  the  church  ; 
and  on  the  last  day  of  the  year  Mr.  Chipman  writes, 
'•  Soli  Deo  Laus  qui  et  terram  violenter  exagitavit  et 
super  populum  suum  spiritum  suum effudit."  "Praise 
to  God  alone,  who  has  both  shaken  violently  the 
earth,  and  poured  out  his  spirit  on  his  people." 

In  1725,  the  parish,  through  a  committee,  applied 
to  the  town  for  an  enlargement  of  territory.  The 
application  was  unsuccessful,  and  the  next  year  a 
movement  was  made  to  procure  the  incorporation  of 
the  precinct  as  a  separate  town.  At  a  meeting  held 
July  1,  1726,  "  after  a  debate  of  an  hour  and  a  half, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  263 

the  people  were  of  opinion  that  it  was  most  Ukely,  to 
do  their  duty  as  aforesaid,  for  this  precinct  to  be  in- 
corporated into  a  township,  and  it  being  put  to  vote 
by  the  moderator,  it  was  voted  for  a  township  by  a 
great  majority."  From  this  decision  eighteen  dis- 
sented. This  subject  was  agitated  about  thirteen 
years,  when  the  parish  concluded  to  settle  down  qui- 
etly as  they  were. 

Very  soon  after  the  house  of  worship  was  erected, 
a  committee  was  chosen  to  seat  the  meeting.  The 
rule  adopted  was  :  "to  show  respect  to  ye  aged  peo- 
ple amongst  vs,  as  allso  to  have  a  speciall  regard  unto 
persons  that  have  don  service  for  ye  benefit  of  ye 
precinct,  and  have  contributed  high  in  building  of  ye 
hous  for  ye  publick  worship  of  God,  and  purchasing 
land  for  ye  use  of  ye  people  of  sd.  precinct,  and  are 
Likely  to  pay  considerable  in  ye  Charge  of  ye  minis- 
try amongst  us : — as  allso  not  to  seat  above  two- 
thirds  so  many  persons  in  any  seat,  as  ye  seats  will 
comfortably  hold."  This  last  provision  indicates 
that  their  numbers  at  that  time,  were  not  equal  to 
their  room.  At  a  meeting,  March  19,  1715-16,  it 
was  voted  that  "  ye  Committee  that  was  chosen  to 
seate  ye  meeting-house  heretofore,  are  now  chosen, 
and  desired  to  seate  all  such  persons  as  are  inhabit- 
ants amongst  us,  and  pay  rates  with  us,  and  are  not 
as  yet  seated."  To  pre\^ent  the  young  females  from 
pressing  in  and  incommoding  the  married  women  who 
sat  in  the  gallery,  it  was  voted  at  a  meeting,  March 
29,  1715,  that  the  front  seat  in  the  east  gallery  "be 
parted  in  ye  middle."  In  1730,  the  committee,  in 
performing  the  duty  assigned  them,  were  directed 
"  first  to  have  a  regard  to  old  age,  and  second  to 
what  men  pay  for  their  real  estates;"  and  in  1755, 


264  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

it  was  voted  to  have  '-special  regard  to  age,  rates 
and  commission." 

The  musical  exercises  in  public  worship  were  con- 
ducted in  a  manner  similar  to  the  practice  of  the  first 
church,  already  described.  The  deacon  "  lined " 
the  psalm,  and  "  set  the  tune,"  in  which  the  congre- 
gation joined.  The  first  attempt  to  improve  this 
method  was  by  the  introduction  of  music-books,  and 
probably  the  formation  of  a  choir.  This  movement 
produced  a  strong  sensation.  The  deacon  felt  that 
his  prerogative  was  usurped,  the  congregation  were 
disturbed  by  the  introduction  of  tunes  with  which 
they  were  unacquainted,  and  by  many  worthy  peo- 
ple it  was  viewed  as  a  dangerous  innovation.  The 
uneasiness  thus  created,  led  to  a  church  meeting  in 
1730,  to  devise  a  plan  for  the  restoration  of  harmony. 
The  importance  the  subject  assumed  may  be  best  es- 
timated by  the  following  record  of  proceedings. 

"  Whereas  there  has  been  some  difference  of  opin- 
ion in  some  of  the  members  of  this  church,  relating 
to  the  way  or  method  of  our  psalmody,  some  think- 
ing that  the  way  or  method  of  singing  the  psalm  tunes 
which  has  heretofore  been  in  common  use  among  us, 
should  still  be  retained  by  us ;  but  others,  that  the 
way  or  method  of  singing  the  tunes  by  note,  as  has 
been  of  late  years  introduced  into  many  other 
churches  and  congregations  in  the  land,  should  be 
promoted  and  established  in  this  society  :  for  the 
accommodation  of  which  afi'air  the  church  is  now 
met.  And  having  first  considered,  that  it  is  our  indis- 
pensable duty  to  harmonize  in  the  way  or  method  of 
our  singing  the  praises  of  God,  and  to  use  our  utmost 
endeavors  to  prevent  all  manner  of  discord  therein, 
so  that  we  may  not  only  with  one  mind,  but  also  with 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  265 

one  mouth,  glorifie  God  according  to  that  precept, 
Rom.  XV.  6.  It  was  then  voted,  that  considering 
our  present  circumstances,  the  church  does  judge  it 
to  be  most  conducive  to  the  peace  of  this  people  to 
sing  the  psalm  tunes  in  the  way  and  method  which 
has  heretofore  been  in  common  use  among  us,  and  ac- 
cordingly does  determine  yet  to  sing  them  in  that 
way  and  method." 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  this  vote  was  reconsid- 
ered, and  "  the  church  having  first  considered  sev- 
eral inconveniences  which  had  arisen  from  said  vote 
of  April  16th,  1730,  which  were  likely  to  continue 
and  increase,  if  the  said  vote  should  be  strictly  ad- 
hered to  for  the  future,  then  agreed  and  voted,  That 
this  church  does  determine  to  sing  the  psalm  tunes 
regularly  by  note,  once  upon  every  Lord's  day,  and 
once  upon  fast  days,  viz.  at  the  first  time  of  singing 
in  the  afternoon,  and  once  upon  every  thanksgiving 
day  also.  Voted  likewise  at  the  same  meeting,  That 
Mr.  Joseph  Cresey  be  desired  to  set  the  tune,  or  lead 
the  song,  at  all  such  times  as  the  church  has  agreed 
to  sing  regularly  by  note.  Moreover,  seeing  that  an 
inconvenience  and  disorder  hath  happened  by  the 
introduction  of  a  psalm  tune  which  the  people  of 
this  church  and  congregation  are  mostly  unac- 
quainted with  :  wherefore  it  was  agreed  and  voted, 
that  no  psalm  tune  which  has  not  been  in  common 
use  among  us,  shall  be  speedily  introduced,  set  or 
sung  in  this  congregation,  excepting  the  tune  called 
St.  Marie's  or  Hackney,  and  the  tune  called  Com- 
mandment tune."  This  course  of  compromise  was 
continued  little  more  than  a  year,  until  Oct.  28, 
1731,  when  at  a  church  meeting  it  was  "voted  that 
they  would  for  the  future  time,  sing  (at  all  times  of 
23 


266  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

singing  in  the  public  worship)  the  psalm  tunes  by- 
rule,  according  to  the  notes  pricked  in  our  psalm 
books."  A  relative  of  Mr.  Cresey  above  mentioned, 
was  for  many  years  an  efficient  leader  of  the  choir. 

Another  disturbing  movement  was  the  introduc- 
tion of  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns,  in  1770.  The 
dread  of  innovation  seems  to  have  neutralized  in 
many  minds  the  spirit  of  improvement,  and  on  this 
occasion  an  elderly  gentleman  rose  in  the  midst  of 
divine  service  greatly  excited,  and  declared  that  had 
Solomon  been  witness  to  what  his  eyes  had  that  day 
seen,  he  never  would  have  written  "  there  is  nothing 
new  under  the  sun."  These  prejudices  gradually 
subsided  as  the  people  became  familiarized  with  the 
change,  and  at  a  later  period  veneration  for  Watts 
became  general. 

Among  the  early  friends  and  benefactors  of  the 
parish,  was  Robert  Hooper  jr.  of  Marblehead,  who 
owned  the  farm  at  Rial-side,  the  property  of  the  late 
Rufus  Putnam. 

In  1753  he  presented  the  parish  with  a  bell, 
which  was  gratefully  received  ;  and  besides  making 
him  a  free  grant  of  a  pew,  it  was  voted,  as  a  further 
mark  of  respect,  "  to  lath  an4  plaster  over-head, 
over  the  above  said  pew,  upon  the  parish's  cost ;" 
and  six  years  after,  the  parish  "  voted  that  the  Hon. 
Robert  Hooper,  Esq.  be  desired  when  he  occasion- 
ally attends  divine  worship  with  us,  to  take  the  up- 
permost end  of  the  fore-seat  on  the  floor  before  the 
pulpit."  Col.  Robert  Hale  and  Lieut.  Henry  Her- 
rick,  also  receive  honorable  notice,  the  former  of 
whom  is  styled  a  "  generous  benefactor"  and  owned 
a  pew  in  the  house. 

In  1759,  it  was  "  voted  that  Lieut.  Henry  Herrick 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  267 

he  desired,  when  he  attends  divine  worship  with  us, 
to  take  the  second  seat  on  the  floor  before  the  pul- 
pit,"— and  in  1764,  a  vote  was  passed  desiring  Mrs. 
Herrick  to  take  a  seat  in  the  women's  fore  pew. 

In  1760,  legacies  having  been  left  to  this  church 
by  Ebcnezer  Raymond,  Hannah  Woodberry,  and 
Dea.  John  Conant,  amounting  to  £7.1.4,  a  contribu- 
tion was  taken  which  increased  the  sum  to  £13.13.5 
with  which  a  silver  tankard  for  the  communion  was 
purchased.  Sept.  29,  1769,  Mr.  Chipman  confirmed 
the  gift  of  a  silver  cup,  made  by  his  wife  Hannah 
to  the  church  in  her  last  illness.  In  1809,  Josiah 
Batchelder  jr.  bequeathed  a  silver  tankard.  In  June 
1832,  the  ]ate  William  Friend  presented  a  silver  cup 
to  the  church,  and  in  1838,  Elizabeth  Friend,  his 
widow,  presented  a  copy  of  the  scriptures  for  the 
use  of  the  pulpit. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  years  after  Mr.  Chipman's 
settlement,  the  currency  became  greatly  disordered, 
and  to  secure  him  against  loss  from  paper  deprecia- 
tion, £20,  £80  and  £120,  were  added  to  his  salary. 
In  1735,  in  consequence  of  the  expenses  arising  from 
sickness  in  his  family,  the  parish  voted  to  take  a 
quarterly  contribution  for  his  benefit.  In  1740  a 
precinct  meeting  was  held,  to  ascertain  why  Mr. 
Chipman  had  not  receipted  in  full  for  his  salary, — 
whereupon  he  gave  a  receipt  in  full  for  all  the  time 
since  his  settlement,  specifying  that  he  did  it  partly 
for  considerations  other  than  value  received.  The 
continual  depreciation  of  bills  of  credit  not  having 
been  fully  made  up  to  him  by  the  precinct,  was  the 
reason  why,  although  he  was  willing  to  give  them  a 
discharge  in  full,  he  would  not  acknowledge  he  had 
been  paid  in  full.     In  1748  an  attempt  was  made  to 


268  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

regulate  his  salary  by  the  current  value  of  silver, 
but  it  did  not  succeed,  and  £600  old  tenor  were 
voted  for  his  salary  of  £80.  In  1750,  when  paper- 
money  ceased  to  circulate,  the  precinct  voted  him 
£80  lawful  money.  In  subsequent  years  his  salary 
was  increased  to  £85.  £88,  and  finally  to  £90. 

July  22,  1757,  letters  signed  Oliver  Carter,  6cc.  in 
behalf  of  about  eighteen  or  nineteen  brethren  of  the 
church  in  Leominster,  Mass.  were  received  and  com- 
plied with,  requesting  the  pastor,  with  delegates,  to 
assist  at  a  council  convened  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
amining a  complaint  entered  against  their  pastor, 
Rev.  John  Rogers.  The  letters  set  forth  that  he  had 
denied  the  doctrine  of  original  sin,  and  had  "ren- 
dered himself  suspected  of  unsoundness,  even  in 
some  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity; 
more  particularly  of  the  Deity  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ."  Deacon  Joshua  Dodge  and  Joseph  Cresey 
were  chosen  delegates  to  accompany  the  pastor. 

Until  1770,  Mr.  Chipman  discharged  his  ministe- 
rial duties  without  assistance,  but  being  now  disa- 
bled by  age  and  infirmity,  Mr.  Enos  Hitchcock  was 
employed  to  supply  the  pulpit;  and  in  1771,  after 
several  consultations  through  a  committee  with  Mr. 
Chipman,  the  church  and  society  gave  a  call  to  Mr. 
Hitchcock  to  settle  as  colleague-pastor,  which  was 
accepted.  His  settlement  was  fixed  at  £133.6.8, 
and  his  salary  during  Mr.  Chipman's  life,  at  £60,  to 
be  increased  after  his  decease  to  £95. 

On  the  21st  March,  1771,  Mr.  Hitchcock  was  re- 
ceived into  this  church  by  letters  of  dismission  and 
recommendation  from  the  church  in  Truro.  The 
first  day  of  May  following  was  appointed  for  his  or- 
dination,  and   a  committee  chosen  to  procure    two 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  269 

suitable  persons  to  provide  for  the  council,  and  for 
the  scholars  and  gentlemen  who  might  attend.  The 
churches  in  Salem  of  which  Rev.  Messrs.  Barnard 
and  Diman  were  pastors, — the  first  church  in  Bev- 
erly, the  second  church  in  Pembroke,  the  second 
and  third  churches  in  Brookfield,  and  the  churches 
in  Danvers,  Manchester,  Wenham  and  Middleton,  as- 
sisted on  the  occasion.  The  services  commenced 
with  an  anthem.  Prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Forbes,  of 
Brookfield.  Sermon  by  Rev.  Gad  Hitchcock,  of 
Pembroke,  from  1  Cor.  ix.  19  :  ''  For  though  I  be 
free  from  all  men,  yet  have  I  made  myself  servant 
unto  all,  that  I  might  gain  the  more."  Mr.  Diman, 
of  Salem,  gave  the  charge;  Mr.  Swain,  of  Wenham, 
gave  the  fellowship;  Mr.  Smith,  of  Middleton,  made 
the  concluding  prayer ;  after  which,  was  an  anthem. 

The  sermon,  which  was  published,  was  a  clear  ex- 
hibition of  the  gospel  plan  as  understood  by  the  au- 
thor, and  of  the  duties  of  the  ministry,  affirming 
that  "  a  slavish  submission  to  human  creeds  aud  for- 
mularies, and  a  trembling  concern  to  make  them 
the  basis  of  our  discourses  to  the  people,  is  degrad- 
ing to  the  sacred  character,  an  affront  to  the  scrip- 
tures of  truth,  and  a  contradiction  of  the  fundamental 
principles  of  protestantism." 

Mr.  Chipman  survived  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Hitch- 
cock about  four  years,  and  died  March  23,  1775,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five.  The  parish  voted 
£14  to  defray  funeral  charges.  The  solemnities  of 
the  occasion  were  such  as  became  the  venerable  age 
and  estimable  character  of  the  deceased.  The  corpse 
was  carried  into  the  meeting-house,  when  a  prayer 
was  offered  by  Mr.  Hitchcock,  and  an  appropriate  ad- 
23* 


270  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY, 

dress  delivered  by  another  clergyman  present.*  On 
his  grave-stone  in  the  old  burying-ground  of  the 
precinct  is  the  following  epitaph  in  latin,  conjec- 
tured to  have  been  written  by  Mr.  Hitchcock  : 

"  To  this  grave  are  committed  the  rem^ains  of  the 
reverend  and  trvly  venerable  John  Chipman.,  A.  M.  ; 
a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  and  for  m'ore  than 
fifty-nine  years  the  faithful  pastor  of  the  second  par- 
ish in  Beverly  ; — a  man  eminent  for  solid  powers  of 
mind  and  useful  learning,  and  particularly  distin- 
guished by  his  acquaintance  with  the  Scriptures  ;  se- 
rious and  pungent  in  preaching  the  word;  penetrated 
with  love  of  the  religion  of  Jesus,  and  by  his  own  ex- 
am^ple  teaching  others  its  precepts  ;  in  presiding  over 
the  church,  vigilant  and  upright ;  to  all  the  flock,  be- 
nevolent  and  just;  embracing  from^  his  soul  the  good 
of  all  sects ;  remarkable  for  the  performance  of  m.u- 
tual  and  social  offices ;  in  his  fam,ily  an  example  of 
every  christian  virtue;  far  from  being  inflated  by 
prosperity ;  m^ost  patient  in  adversity.  Having  at- 
tained an  advanced  age,  and  in  the  firmest  hope  of  a 
happy  imm^ortality ,  he  expired  on  the  23d  day  of 
March,  A.  D.  1775,  aged  85." 


*  It  was  customary  at  that  period,  as  it  is  in  some  places  now,  to 
present  mourning  rings,  gloves,  &c.  to  the  near  friends  of  the  de- 
ceased. In  consequence  of  the  scarcity  of  money  during  the  revo- 
lutionary war,  the  provincial  government  recommended  the  discon- 
tinuance of  this  practice.  Tradition  states  that  some  little  delay  oc- 
curred in  the  burial  of  Mr.  Chipman,  from  a  strong  desire  on  the 
part  of  the  executors  or  nearest  relatives,  to  revive  the  custom  at  this 
time.  A  proviso  in  the  parish  grant  of  the  £14  would  seem  to  con. 
firm  the  tradition. 


HISTORY  OF    BEVERLY. 


271 


Mr.  Chipman  was  a  native  of  Barnstable,  Mass. 
and  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1711.  He  was 
twice  married — first  to  Rebeckah,  sister  of  Col.  Rob- 
ert Hale,  and  second,  to  Hannah  Warren,  who  died 
without  issue,  June  24,  1769.  By  his  first  wife  he 
had  fifteen  children,  viz.  :  Elizabeth,  Sarah  (died  in 
infancy),  John,  Sarah,  Samuel,  Rebeckah,  Robert 
(died  young),  Henry,  Biley,  Robert  Hale,  Joseph, 
Mary,  Hannah,  Abigail  and  Benjamin.  John,  the 
eldest  son,  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  law.  He  died  suddenly,  at 
Falmouth,  Me.  of  apoplexy,  with  which  he  was 
seized  while  arguing  a  cause  before  the  Superior 
Court,  July  1,  1768.  He  was  highly  esteemed,  and 
his  brethren  of  the  bar  erected  a  monument  ''  to  the 
remembrance  of  his  great  learning,  uniform  integrity, 
and  singular  humanity  and  benevolence."  His  son, 
Ward  Chipman,  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  and 
was  distinguished  as  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  New  Brunswick,  and  for  his  great  influence  with 
the  government  at  home.  Ward  Chipman,  jr.  and 
grandson  of  John,  also  graduated  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class,  and  was 
afterwards  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  New  Bruns- 
wick. Samuel,  second  son  of  Rev.  John  Chipman, 
died  at  St.  Martin's,  Sept.  19,  1761.  He  had  a  son 
John,  who  was  the  father  of  Rev.  Richard  Manning 
Chipman,  of  Athol. 

Mr.  Chipman's  life  and  the  period  of  his  ministry 
exceeded  that  of  all  the  other  clergymen  in  Beverly, 
and  he  probably  outlived  nearly  all  those  who  were 
of  age  at  the  time  of  his  settlement.  In  person  he 
was  about  five  feet  eight  inches,  and  of  full  habit. 
His  pulpit  eflforts  were  devout  and  energetic,  and  he 


272  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

appears  to  have  been  held  in  the  highest  esteem  and 
reverence  by  his  people,  over  whom  he  exercised 
an  uncontrolled  influence  to  the  termination  of  life. 
This,  influence  upon  the  vicious,  oftentimes  supplied 
the  want  of  correct  moral  principle,  in  restraining 
them  from  sinful  courses :  with  the  virtuous,  it  was 
a  powerful  incentive  to  the  diligent  performance  of 
every  duty.  The  manners  of  the  time  in  which  he 
lived,  allowed  him  to  command  that  obedience, 
which  is  now  only  to  be  sought  by  the  more  mild, 
though  not  less  effectual  means  of  persuasion.  His 
influence  abroad  was  commensurate  with  that  ex- 
erted at  home.  He  was  frequently  called  to  assist  in 
ordinations,  and  in  the  settlement  of  difficulties  that 
arose  in  the  neighboring  churches.  His  virtues,  though 
of  the  sterner  sort,  were  not  the  less  real.  In  1746, 
with  Mr.  Wigglesworth,  of  Ipswich,  he  published  a 
controversial  pamphlet,  directed  against  Rev.  Wm. 
Balch  of  Bradford,  who  was  accused  of  propagating 
Arminian  tenets.^  This,  with  a  thanksgiving  dis- 
course and  a  sermon  on  the  close  of  the  year,  are  the 
only  writfngs  of  Mr.  Chipman,  so  far  as  is  ascer- 
tained, that  were  ever  published.  The  joint  produc- 
tion of  Messrs.  Wigglesworth  and  Chipman  is  a  parn- 

*  The  Rev.  Wm.  Balch  was  the  son  of  Mr.  Freeborn  Balch,  who 
became  a  member  of  the  second  parish  in  1715.  He  was  born  in 
Beverly,  in  1704,  admitted  to  the  second  church  in  1722,  graduated 
at  Harvard  College  1724,— was  ordained  at  Bradford,  Mass.  June  7, 
1727  (upon  which  occasion  Mr.  Chipman  assisted)  and  died  1792,  in 
the  88th  year  of  his  age.  He  is  said  to  have  possessed  strong  pow- 
ers of  mind,  was  mild  and  conciliating  in  his  manners,  and  was  uni- 
versally beloved  by  his  flock.  He  was  fond  of  agriculture,  and  the 
fruit  of  his  orchard  was  said  to  be  the  best  in  the  county  of  Essex. 
His  cider,  which  bore  the  best  price  in  the  market,  was  called  "  Ar- 
minian cidtr?^ 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  273 

phlet  of  forty-fonr  pages.  It  is  written  in  a  tem- 
perate spirit,  and  dedicated  "To  the  Ministers  and 
Churches  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  New  England." 
Mr.  Balch's  reply  occupies  ninety-two  pages,  and  dis- 
plays perspicuity  and  independence.  "  It  is  the  grief 
of  my  soul  (he  says)  to  see  the  Bible  so  much  neg- 
lected, and  other  books  so  much  made  the  stand- 
ard ;"  and  he  cannot  ''help  miserably  bewailing  the 
state  of  the  reformed  churches  who  stick"  where 
they  were  left  by  the  reformation. 

Mr.  Chipman  is  understood  to  have  been  partial  to 
the  science  of  medical  astrology.  His  seventh  son, 
Joseph,  came  in  possession  of  the  parsonage  estate, 
and  during  a  long  life  of  persevering  industry  and 
enterprize,  did  much  to  improve  and  beautify  its  ap- 
pearance. His  widow  has  in  her  possession  a  por- 
trait of  Rev.  John  Chipman.  It  was  taken  several 
years  before  his  death,  and  is  pronounced,  by  an 
aged  lady  now  living,  who  frequently  watched  with 
him  in  his  last  sickness,  an  excellent  likeness. 

Mr.  Chipman  was  pastor  of  the  second  parish  for 
nearly  60  years  ;  during  which  period  he  received 
384  persons  into  the  church,  administered  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism  to  834  children  and  34  adults,  uni- 
ted in  wedlock  303  couples,  and  attended  631  funer- 
als. The  first  couple  united  in  wedlock  by  him,  was 
Samuel  Smith  and  Elizabeth  Hay  ward,  both  of  Bev- 
erly, Jan.  19.  1716;  the  last,  John  Dodge  3d.  and 
Mehitable  Batcheller,  both  of  this  town,  Dec.  1, 
1768.  The  first  death  recorded  by  him.  is  Eleanor, 
child  of  John  Dodge,  Jr.,  Oct.  13,  1715  ;  the  last,  a 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Cresey,  1769. 

Mr.  Chipman  solemnized  the  marriages  of  six  cler- 
gymen,  viz:     Dec.  12,  1727,  Rev.  Pain  Wingate  of 


274  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

Amesbury,  to  Mary  Balch  of  Beverly.  March  12, 
1728,  Rev.  Wm.  Balch  of  Bradford,  to  Rebecca 
Stone  of  Beverly.  Oct.  1,  1730,  Rev.  Joseph  Champ- 
ney  to  Elizabeth  Blowers,  both  of  Beverly.  April  21, 
1737,  Rev.  John  Warren  of  Wenham,  to  Elizabeth 
Chipman  of  Beverly.  Feb.  14,  1749,  Rev.  Nehemi- 
ah  Porter,  of  Ipswich,  to  Rebecca  Chipman  of  Bev- 
erly. July  3,  1751,  Rev.  Joseph  Swain  to  Eliza 
Warren,  both  of  Wenham. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Chipman's  decease,  Mr.  Hitchcock's 
salary  was  increased  to  £95.  But  in  consequence  of 
the  depreciation  of  the  paper-money  then  in  circula- 
tion, it  was  raised  in  1778  to  £400 ;  in  1779  to  £800 ; 
and  in  1780  to  £4275,  being  at  the  rate  of  £45  for 
£1  of  his  original  salary.  Some  idea  of  the  wretch- 
ed state  of  the  currency  at  this  period  may  be  formed 
from  the  fact,  that  in  1781  the  parish  pasture,  of  a 
few  acres,  was  rented  for  £145,  and  £10,000  were 
raised  to  defray  the  current  expenses  of  the  parish 
for  the  year. 

Mr.  Hitchcock  was  a  native  of  Springfield,  Mass., 
and  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1767.  In  the 
first  year  of  his  ministry  he  married  Miss  Achsah 
Jordan  of  Truro.  In  common  with  the  clergy  of  his 
times,  he  warmly  espoused  the  cause  of  his  country. 
In  1777  he  entered  the  army  as  chaplain,  though  he 
was  not  dismissed  until  1780.  The  following  letters, 
addressed,  while  in  the  public  service,  to  his  intimate 
friend,  Josiah  Batchelder.  Jr.,  are  here  preserved  as 
interesting  memoranda  of  that  important  period  : 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  275 


Valley  Forge,  May  15,  1778. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  most  heartily  congratulate  you  on  the  agreeable 
face  cast  on  our  affairs  by  the  equitable  treaty  of  amity  and  com- 
merce 'with  France,  which  gives  general  satisfaction,  and  was 
received  here  with  a  ftu  de  joie.  Our  troops  are  in  high  spirits 
after  the  distressing  sufferings  of  the  winter,  which  nothing  could 
equal  but  the  unparalleled  patience  with  which  they  were  endur- 
ed- The  noble  commander-in-chief,  whose  heart  ached  to  see  it, 
says  they  deserve  every  thing  from  their  country.  I  wish  their 
merit  might  be  rewarded.  It  gives  me  pain  to  see  the  nakedness 
of  many  of  the  soldiery.  The  clothing  is  but  little  of  it  come  in 
yet.  Numbers  of  our  brigade  are  destitute  even  of  a  shirt,  and 
have  nothing  but  the  ragged  remains  of  some  loose  garments  as 
a  partial  covering.*  But  this  is  more  tolerable  now  than  when 
colder.  We  have  no  prospect  of  clothing  for  more  than  three 
regiments  of  the  brigade,  and  I  never  expect  to  see  the  troops  of 
our  State  furnished  till  there  is  an  agent  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose, as  the  other  States  have,  to  see  it  delivered  to  our  men.  I 
hear  the  town's  clothing  is  on  the  way  ;  so  I  hope  the  shame  of 
our  nakedness  will  not  long  appear.  Great  improvements  are 
making  in  the  discipline  of  the  army — several  hours  every  day 
being  devoted  to  that  purpose.  Our  strength  increases  faster  in 
this  way  than  by  the  addition  of  numbers.  We  lay  very  quiet  in 
camp — very  little  skirmishing,  of  late,  between  parties.  The  en- 
emy lately  burnt  two  frigates  up  the  river,  and  did  some  other 
mischief.  'Tis  a  disagreeable  thought,  that  the  price  of  necessa- 
ries in  Massachusetts,  where  they  abound,  is  much  higher  than  in 
these  [middle]  States,  for  which  they  are  greatly  reflected  on. 
Our  living  in  camp  is  comfortable.  My  compliments  to  all  friends. 
Please  to  accept,  and  divide  with  your  lady,  the  sincerest  regards 
Of,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

E.  Hitchcock. 
Capt.  Batchelder. 

*  In  a  letter  from  Quartermaster  Jonathan  Conant,  dated  at  Valley 
Forge,  Jan.  5th,  1778,  he  says,  that  nothing  ''except  grace"  is  more 
wanting  in  the  army  than  clothing  ;  and  adds,  "  I  am  sorry  to  say  it, 
our  regiment  goes  by  the  name  of  the  ragged  regiment." 


276  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 


Camp  Greenwich,  July  23,  1778. 

Dear  Sir  : — Your  favor  in  answer  to  mine,  I  received  some 
time  since.  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  the  state  of  the  troops, 
as  to  clothing,  is  much  better ;  their  spirits,  as  usual,  good.  After 
a  long  and  tedious  march  of  more  than  two  hundred  and  twenty 
miles,  in  the  excessive  heat  of  summer,  the  successful  action  of 
Monmouth  rewards  every  toil.  Mr.  Conant  and  the  other  gentle- 
men will  give  you  a  particular  account  of  matters.  I  must  con- 
gratulate you  on  the  present  happy  state  of  affairs,  to  which  the 
friendly  disposition  of  France,  in  part,  contributes.  Their  pow- 
erful fleet  you  have  doubtless  a  particular  account  of  I  hope  the 
happy  period  is  approaching,  when  peace  will  smile  upon  us, 
though  it  may  be  at  the  expense  of  the  peace  of  Europe,  and  we 
may  be  called  to  carry  war  into  the  extremes  of  the  continent. 

The  court  passed  a  resolve  to  present  the  officers  with  two 
shirts,  shoes  and  stockings.  'T  was  to  be  supposed  the  things 
presented  would  be  agreeable  to  the  character  of  those  to  whom 
offered ;  but  many  of  each  have  been  sent,  bearing  no  proportion, 
in  quality,  to  the  town's  clothing  to  soldiers.  I  have  mentioned 
these  things  from  an  earnest  wish  that  all  occasion  of  bickering 
between  those  gentlemen  and  their  brethren  may  by  some  means 
be  prevented.  By  being  in  the  army,  officers  cultivate  tender  no- 
tions of  honor ;  and  this  is  highly  necessary  for  the  government 
and  well-being  of  it. 

I  hope,  if  God  please,  to  see  you  and  my  other  friends,  after 
having  seen  New  York  and  a  total  demolition  of  the  British  army 
there.  Wishing  health  and  happiness  to  you  and  family,  to  whom 
present  my  regards,  and  to  other  friends,  I  am,  with  respect,  sir, 

Your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

E.  Hitchcock. 
Capt.  Batchelder. 

The  following  partakes  of  the  gloom  that  hung 
over  the  prospects  of  the  army  at  the  time  of  its 
date  : 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  277 


West  Point,  July  13,  1779. 

Dear  Sir  : — Your  kind  favor  of  June  25th  came  safely  to  hand 
by  the  last  post.  It  was  the  more  acceptable,  as  I  feared  you, 
among  my  other  friends,  had  forgotten  me. 

As  to  the  western  expedition,  it  goes  on  well  so  far.  Gen.  Sul- 
livan, with  the  middle  division,  was  at  Wyoming  the  last  accounts 
we  had,  and  Clinton  with  his  brigade  was  crossing  the  country 
from  Cherry  Valley  via  lake  Otsego,  to  join  him.  One  hundred 
and  twenty  of  the  remnant  of  the  Onandago  tribe  joined  him  on 
the  way.  The  whole  country,  'tis  said,  are  greatly  alarmed.  The 
Seneca  nation  will  be  the  first  and  principal  object  of  their  opera- 
tions. The  accounts  of  our  success  in  the  back  parts  of  Virginia, 
you  will  have  in  the  papers.  They  are  at  a  great  distance,  and 
do  not  so  immediately  affect  us,  but  are  of  great  consequence  to 
that  State.  The  affairs  of  South  Carolina  are  uncertain.  Our 
success  there,  I  believe,  has  not  been  equal  to  common  report 
Ignipotent  Tryon,  with  a  band  of  furies,  makes  shocking  havoc  on 
the  Sound.  New  Haven  is  sacked,  some  of  its  inhabitants  mur- 
dered, and  a  few  houses  burnt  Fairfield,  the  handsomest  town 
in  Connecticut,  is  in  ashes,  the  people  cruelly  treated,  and  some 
of  the  fair  sex,  'tis  said,  carried  off.  Yesterday,  they  landed  an 
army  of  4000  at  Norwalk,  marching  from  the  main  body,  to  unite 
and  facilitate  their  operations.  The  militia  flock  in  fast  Gen. 
Heath,  with  the  two  Connecticut  brigades,  marched  from  us  last 
Lord's  day,  to  operate  with  them  against  these  enemies  of  God 
and  goodness,  yea,  of  humanity  itself 

'Tis  unhappy  that  Gen.  Washington  has  not  been  enabled  by 
the  country  to  afford  them  more  assistance  from  his  little  army. 
As  one  plan  of  the  enemy  is  to  draw  him  from  protecting  this  post, 
he  will  be  on  his  guard  till  it  is  rendered  so  strong  in  works,  that 
a  garrison  will  be  sufficient  to  cover  it  with  the  aid  of  militia,  on 
emergencies.  A  vast  deal  of  work  is  necessary  to  put  it  in  such 
a  state.  We  never  fail  to  pay  dear  for  our  supineness,  dreaming 
of  peace  when  there  is  no  peace- 
No  period  of  the  controversy  has  appeared  to  me  more  critical 
and  alarming  than  the  present  The  country  is  asleep,  to  appear- 
ance totally  inattentive  to  what  ought  to  be  their  grand  object — 
24 


278  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

defence.  The  currency  is  on  the  eve  of  destruction.  The  army- 
is  groaning  under  an  unjust  and  unsupportable  proportion  of  the 
burden,  entirely  neglected  by  their  brethren  in  the  country.  Offi- 
cers are  daily  resigning,  soldiers  are  frequently  deserting,  our 
troops  are  falling  sick  faster  than  I  ever  knew  them  to  do  for  want 
of  the  means  of  health,  their  fatigue  being  very  hard.  No  vege- 
tables, acids,  or  spirits,  are  to  be  had.  'Tis  very  little,  except 
beef,  bread  and  water,  that  any  of  us  can  get  to  live  on.  For 
more  than  three  months  no  stores  from  our  State  have  been  fur- 
nished us.  Every  circumstance  forbidding  our  continuance  in  the 
service,  that  falls  within  the  limits  of  imagination,  takes  place  with 
us.  'Tis  the  united  voice  of  all  our  officers,  whose  circumstances 
will  permit  them  to  tarry  so  long,  to  wade  through  the  fatigues 
and  distresses  of  this  campaign,  and  then  retire  from  the  service ; 
but  it  has  been  hard  to  prevail  on  many  to  tarry  so  long.  A  num- 
ber think  .they  can't,  and  are  now  urging  for  resignations. 

The  above  are  no  chimeras  of  my  own  brain,  but  facts  of  public 
notoriety,  which  will  soon  be  represented  to  Court  in  form,  by  the 
officers  of  our  line,  who  feel  in  the  most  poignant  manner  the  evils 
mentioned.  We  are  sensible  many  difficulties  attend  the  move- 
ment of  government,  and  that  the  depreciation  of  our  medium  has 
had  a  great  hand  in  embarrassing  them ;  but  that  our  friends  at 
home  should  abound  in  the  comfortables  and  luxuries  of  life,  and 
we  be  wholly  destitute,  seems  not  to  be  equal ;  nor  do  we  know 
how  to  account  for  it,  but  by  setting  it  to  the  score  of  inattention. 
We  conceive  it  would  have  been  the  easiest  method  government 
could  have  taken,  to  make  up,  at  least  in  part,  the  depreciation  of 
the  currency  to  us,  to  afford  ample  supplies  in  the  small-store  way, 
with  which  the  country  abounds,  and  of  which  we  have  been  in 
want  most  of  the  time  since  we  came  out. 

T  write  with  the  more  freedom,  sir,  as  I  address  a  public  officer 
whose  well-known  attachment  to  the  rights  of  the  army  leads  him 
to  wish  for  correct  information  of  their  state.  That  which  I  here 
give  stands  on  the  broad  foundation  of  truth,  is  dictated  by  the 
feelings  of  humanity  for  others,  ardent  wishes  of  safety  to  my 
country,  and  sincere  desires  to  experience,  in  common  with  my 
brethren,  that  relief  for  which  our  situation  loudly  calls. 

It  gave  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  of  your  appointment  to  the 
committee  of  supplies.    I  trust  your  exertions  will  not  be  wanting 


HISTORY   OF    BEVERLY.  279 

for  us,  and  that  all  just  grounds  of  complaint  will  be  removed. 
It  would  be  a  great  alleviation  to  the  hardships  of  camp  life,  if  we 
were  furnished,  according  to  stipulation,  with  the  following  arti- 
cles :— tea,  coffee,  chocolate,  sugar,  pepper,  ginger,  mustard,  vine- 
gar, dry  cheese,  port  wine,  writing  paper,  ink-powder,  wafers  and 
wax,  shoes,  stockings,  (a  proportion  of  them  fit  for  officers,)  linen, 
thread,  silk  and  trimmings  of  various  kinds ;  soap  much  wanted, 
and  rum,  the  least  useful  of  all  these  articles.  Many  things  have 
doubtless  escaped  my  mind,  which  may  be  suggested  to  yours. 
The  small  quantity  of  those  articles  we  are  able  to  command  in 
this  vicinity,  soon  consumes  our  wages,  and  leaves  us  far  from  a 
supply. 

I  long  to  see  my  countrymen  reanimated  and  inspired  with  that 
spirit  of  virtuous  patriotism,  which  at  first  fired  their  breasts  and 
invigorated  every  nerve  in  the  common  defence.  Till  then  we 
look  in  vain  for  peace.  Without  this,  we  may  expect  desolation, 
like  a  flood !  Wishing  that  the  blessing  of  heaven  may  attend 
you  and  family, 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Ends  Hitchcock. 

The  next  letter  is  written  under  a  brighter  sky. 

West  Point,  Oct.  12, 1779. 

Dear  Sir  :  My  last  contained  many  gloomy  truths.  We  had 
for  a  long  time  been  extremely  destitute,  which  discouraged  num- 
bers ;  resignations  therefore  became  frequent,  and  I  am  sorry  to 
say,  they  are  not  quite  out  of  fashion  yet.  Two  captains  in  our 
brigade  have  resigned  this  week  on  receipt  of  intelligence  of  the 

disagreeable  condition  of  their  families  at  home Our  small 

supplies  have  afforded  great  relief  The  27th  August  we  receiv- 
ed the  first  for  the  season,  about  ten  loads.  These  furnished  one 
pound  of  sugar  and  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  tea  to  a  ration.  The 
18th  September  we  received  half  a  pound  of  sugar  and  the  same 
of  coffee  to  a  ration.  We  have  received  eighteen  or  twenty 
loads,  and  hear  of  more  on  the  way. 

There  is  a  pleasing  change  on  the  face  of  affairs,  not  only 

abroad  but  at  home We  are  big  with  expectation  of 

some  great  event     By  the  brisk  and  rapid  preparations  now  mak- 


280  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

ing,  we  apprehend  a  speedy  and  general  movement  of  the  army. 
I  conclude  it  depends  on  Count  D'Estang,  who  is  hourly  expected. 
A  great  many  pilots  are  sent  off  to  go  on  board  his  fleet,  and  a 
large  number  of  flat-bottomed  boats  are  building  with  all  possible 
despatch,  to  carry  troops.  Our  light  infantry  lay  within  a  few 
miles  of  Stony  Point,  and  I  suppose  will  open  batteries  upon  it 
soon.  The  season  is  so  far  advanced  as,  I  fear,  to  interrupt  if  not 
prevent  the  Count's  operations  this  way. 

The  afiair  of  the  Penobscot  is  only  a  little  spot  on  the  fair  face 
of  a  successful  campaign  ;  and  as  an  inquiry  is  making  into  it, 
when,  I  presume,  truth  will  be  brought  to  light,  let  a  veil  remain 
on  it  till  judicially  removed.  It  has  been  too  common  to  prejudge, 
censure  and  condemn. 

I  sometimes  indulge  a  thought  that  we  may  see  New  York  this 

fall,  but  dare  not  harbor  it Is  it  possible  for  me  to  return 

while  these  things  are  in  agitation  ?  I  have  seen  my  country, 
and  the  army  in  particular,  in  deep  distress.  I  have  suffered  with 
them.  Can  I  leave  them  when  they  hope  to  give  a  blow  that  will 
do  honor  to  themselves,  and  render  essential  service  to  their  coun- 
try ?  But  t  must  not  anticipate  too  much.  It  depends  on  so 
many  contingencies  that  the  whole  may  fail.  I  expect  to  see 
home  early  in  November  if  these  operations  do  not  take  place  ;  if 
they  do,  'tis  uncertain  when. 

You  have,  doubtless,  heard  of  a  second  freight  of  Germans 
carried  into  Philadelphia.  Our  friends  are  all  well  in  camp. 
Please  give  my  regards  to  Mrs.  Batchelder  and  such  friends  as 
think  me  worth  inquiring  after. 

I  am  with  respect  and  affection,  sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Ends  Hitchcock. 

Ill  1780,  Mr.  Hitchcock  was  chaplain  to  Gen.  Pat- 
terson's brigade.  While  connected  with  the  arm3^,  he 
preached  occasionally  in  Providence,  R.  L,  where,  after 
the  army  disbanded,  he  received  a  call  to  settle,  and 
was  installed  Oct.  1,  1783.  He  died  Feb.  27,  1803, 
in  the  59th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  good  preacher, 
a  sensible  and  learned  divine,  a  man  of  active  benev- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  281 

olence,  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  education  of 
youth  and  the  establishment  of  free  schools.  He 
bequeathed  $2500  at  his  decease,  for  the  foundation 
of  a  ministerial  fund  in  his  society  in  Providence. 
He  published  a  book  of  catechetical  instruction  and 
forms  of  devotion  for  children  and  youth — Charles 
Worthy,  or  the  Memoirs  of  the  Bloomsgrove  family ; 
a  work  on  education  in  two  volumes,  and  a  sermon 
at  the  dedication  of  his  meeting-house. 

From  Mr.  Hitchcock's  dismission  until  1787,  the 
pulpit  was  supplied  by  Revs.  Obediah  Parsons,  John 
Gleaveland  and  Daniel  Story,  when  Mr.  Daniel  Oliver 
received  and  accepted  a  call  to  settle.  His  ordination 
took  place  Oct.  3.  The  council  consisted  of  seven- 
teen churches,  viz  :  those  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
Rev.  Messrs.  Wadsworth  and  Holt,  of  Danvers, 
Swain  of  Wenham,  Parsons  of  Lynn,  McKean  of 
Beverly,  Hopkins  and  Barnard  of  Salem,  Frisby  of 
Ipswich,  French  of  Andover,  Forbes  of  Gloucester, 
Morrill  of  Wilmington,  Breck  of  Topsfield,  Gleave- 
land of  Chebacco,  Robbins  of  Plymouth,  Smith  of 
Middleton,  Dana  of  Ipswich,  and  Cutler  of  Hamil- 
ton. On  the  day  of  his  ordination  he  was  received 
to  this  church,  by  letters  of  dismission  and  recom- 
mendation from  the  second  church  in  Boston.  In 
doctrine^  Mr.  Oliver  is  understood  to  have  agreed  with 
Hopkins,  and  shortly  after  his  ordination  drew  up  a 
new  confession  of  faith^  which,  by  a  vote  of  the 
church,  was  substituted  for  Mr.  Chipman's  platform, 
as  already  noticed. 

In  1791,  Mr.  Oliver  declined  giving  a  receipt  in  full 

for  his  settlement  and  salary  unless  the  parish  would 

allow  him  interest  upon  the  principal  for  the  delay  of 

payment  of  the  principal  beyond  the  period  when  it 

24^ 


282  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

was  contracted  to  be  paid.  This  gave  offence  to 
many,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  a  series  of  difficul- 
ties, which  ultimately  resulted  in  his  dismissal.  In 
1792,  several  of  the  disaffected  persons  seceded,  and 
joined  the  Baptist  society  in  Danveis.  This  led  to  a 
lawsuit,  which  put  the  parish  to  great  expense.  In 
1794,  at  the  request  of  the  parish,  Mr.  Oliver  relin- 
quished £20  of  his  salary,  being  probably  the  propor- 
tion formerly  paid  by  the  seceders.  The  next  year 
his  salary  was  voted  in  full.  The  difficulties  just 
alluded  to,  now  assumed  a  more  decided  character. 
March  29,  1796,  the  parish  refused  to  vote  Mr.  Oliver 
his  salary,  and  instead  thereof  appointed  a  commit- 
tee of  eleven  persons  to  request  him  to  resign.  Parish 
and  church  meetings  were  frequently  called,  and 
various  methods  suggested  to  accomplish  a  final  ad- 
justment of  the  difficulties,  but  without  success,  until 
1797 — when  a  council  was  convened,  the  complaints 
and  grievances  of  both  parties^  were  fully  investigated 
and  discussed,  and  a  final  separation  was  effected 
upon  specified  conditions.  Mr.  Oliver's  salary  was 
continued  to  him  up  to  August  5,  1797.  The  use  of 
the  parsonage  lands  was  continued  to  him  for  the 
current  year,  and  in  1798,  $300,  the  award  of  the 
referees,  was  paid  him.  He  died  at  Roxbury,  Sep- 
tember 14,  1840,  in  the  89th  year  of  his  age. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Oliver,  the  pulpit  was 
supplied  by  Messrs.  Story,  Alden  and  Micah  Stone, 
the  latter  of  whom  was  invited  to  settle,  but  declined. 
October  13,  1800,  the  parish,  in  concurrence  with  the 
church,  invited  Mr.  Moses  Dow,  of  Atkinson,  N.  H., 
to  settle  with  them,  at  a  salary  of  $500  per  annum 
for  the  first  five  years,  $480  for  the  sixth,  and  after 
that  $400  per  annum  so  long  as  he  should  continue 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  283 

with  them.  This  invitation  was  accepted,  and  the 
18th  of  March,  1801,  assigned  for  the  ordination. 
The  exercises  of  the  occasion  were  as  follows  :  in- 
troductory prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Adams,  of  Middleton  ; 
sermon  by  Rev.  Stephen  Peabody,  of  Atkinson,  N. 
H. ;  consecrating  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Frisby,  of  Ips- 
wich ;  charge  by  Rev.  Mr.  French,  of  Andover ; 
right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  Joseph  M'Kean,  of 
Beverly ;  concluding  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Webster,  of 
Ipswich. 

Mr.  Dow  continued  in  the  pastoral  office  here  until 
1813,  when  his  relations  to  the  parish  were  dissolved 
by  mutual  council.  Mr.  Dow  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth college  in  1796,  and  died  at  Plaistow,  N.  H., 
1837,  aged  66.  He  was  highly  esteemed  as  a  Christ- 
ian, as  a  man  of  talents,  and  as  a  public  speaker. 
The  council  for  dismission,  of  which  the  late  Rev. 
Dr.  Abbot  was  scribe,  in  their  result  say,  ''  We  have 
long  known  him,  we  have  long  loved  and  esteemed 
him;  and  we  most  heartily  add  our  testimonial  to  this 
of  the  church.  We  believe  him  to  be  an  able  and  faith- 
ful, a  discreet  and  devoted  minister  of  Jesus  Christ ; 
and  while  we  lament  his  removal  as  a  great  loss  to 
ourselves  and  this  vicinity,  we  affectionately  recom- 
mend him  to  the  churches,  and  devoutly  hope  that  he 
may  soon  be  placed  in  a  situation  where  his  talents 
and  virtues,  his  gifts  and  graces,  may  be  employed 
for  the  benefit  of  many."  His  publications  were  :  a 
funeral  sermon,  1807,  a  fast  sermon,  1812,  and  fare- 
well sermon,  1813. 

From  1814,  to  Dec.  15,  1816,  the  pulpit  was  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  David  Batcheller  and  others,  when  a 
call  to  settle  was  given  to  Mr.  Luther  Wright,  which 


284  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

he  declined.  Sept.  15,  1818,  Rev.  Humphrey  Clark 
Perley  was  invited  to  settle.  He  accepted  the  invi- 
tation, and  was  installed  on  the  2d  Dec.  1818. 
Eight  clergymen  were  on  the  council,  viz  :  Rev.  Dr. 
Cutler  of  Hamilton,  Rev.  Benj.  Wads  worth  of  Dan- 
vers,  Revs.  Peter  Eaton  and  Isaac  Briggs,  1st  and 
2d  parishes  in  Boxford,  Rev.  Bailey  Loring,  Ando- 
ver.  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot.  Beverly,  Rev.  Mr.  Thurston, 
Manchester,  and  Rev.  Isaac  Braman,  Rowley.  This 
connexion  was^  dissolved  by  mutual  consent  June 
13,  1821;  and  measures  were  taken  to  supply  the 
desk  during  the  remainder  of  the  year.  August  13, 
1823,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Poor  received  and  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastoral  office,  and  was  ordained  Oct.  29, 
1823.  Rev.  Mr.  Dana  of  Marblehead,  offered  the 
introductory  prayer ;  Rev.  Mr.  Walker  of  Danvers, 
preached  the  sermon;  Rev.  Dr.  Abbot  of  the  first 
parish  in  this  town,  offered  the  ordaining  prayer ; 
Rev.  Dr.  Wadsworth  of  Danvers,  gave  the  charge ; 
Rev.  Mr.  Oliphant  of  the  third  church  in  Beverly, 
gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship ;  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Sperry  of  Wenham,  made  the  concluding  prayer. 
The  connexion  was  dissolved  at  Mr.  P's  request,  in 
March,  1829.  During  this  and  the  year  following, 
the  desk  was  supplied  by  various  clergymen. 

Mr.  Poor  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Ebenezer  Robin- 
son, who  was  installed  in  Oct.  1830.  The  exercises 
of  the  occasion  were  as  follows  :  introductory  prayer 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Sewall  of  Danvers ;  sermon  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Bartlett  of  Marblehead;  installing  prayer  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Loring  of  Andover ;  charge  by  the  same  ; 
fellowship  by  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  of  Beverly ;  and  ad- 
dress to  the  people  by  Rev.  Mr.  Sewall.     Jan.  27, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  285 

1833,  Mr.  Robinson  requested  a  dismission,  which 
was  granted  him.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  present 
incumbent,  Edwin  M.  Stone. 

In  1837,  after  several  meetings  for  consultation, 
the  parish  adopted  measures  to  re-model  the  meeting- 
house, which  were  immediately  carried  into  execu- 
tion. The  original  frame  was  retained,  and  removed 
about  thirty  feet  north  of  its  former  site.  The  front 
is  in  the  Grecian  style,  neat  and  tasteful,  and  shaded 
by  a  venerable  elm.  The  interior  aspect  of  the 
house  is  very  pleasant.  There  are  forty-two  pews 
on  the  lower  floor,  and  ten  slips  in  the  gallery,  be- 
sides ample  accommodations  for  the  choir.  The  pul- 
pit is  of  mahogany ;  it  is  of  the  altar  form,  open  and 
unique  in  design.  The  house  is  surmounted  with  a 
cupola  and  furnished  with  a  bell. 

The  alterations  were  completed  in  about  five 
months,  and  are  highly  creditable  to  the  public  spirit 
of  the  society.  Feb.  1,  1838,  the  house  was  opened 
for  public  worship  with  appropriate  solemnities, 
which  were  participated  in  by  a  very  large  and 
crowded  audience.  The  prayer  of  dedication  was 
offered  by  Rev.  C.  T.  Thayer,  of  the  first  church, 
and  the  sermon,  from  Haggai  ii.  9,  was  delivered  by 
the  pastor. 

When  the  re-modelling  of  this  house  had  been  de- 
termined on,  the  committee  of  the  fourth  congrega- 
tional society  politely  tendered  the  use  of  their  house 
of  worship  to  the  second  parish,  which  was  grate- 
fully accepted — the  two  congregations  worshipping 
at  different  hours. 

Between  the  first  and  second  churches  an  unin- 
terrupted and  friendly  communication  has  been 
maintained,  from  the  organization  of  the  latter  to 
the  present  time  ;  and  soon  after  the  dedication  just 


286  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

mentioned,  the  first  church  presented  to  the  second 
a  handsome  silver  communion-vessel,  "  as  a  token 
of  the  christian  harmony  and  fellowship  which  has 
long  existed,  and  which  it  is  devoutly  to  be  desired 
may  ever  continue,  between  these  ancient  sister 
churches."  This  beautiful  and  touching  evidence 
of  kindly  feeling  was  acknowledged  in  the  following 
resolutions  : 

"  Resolved,  That  this  church  accept  the  '  token  ' 
of  sympathy  and  fellowship  so  appropriately  offered, 
and  that  we  hereby  express  our  grateful  acknow- 
ledgments for  a  gift  calculated  to  remind  us  of  our 
common  sisterhood,  covenants  and  worship. 

^^  Resolved,  That  the  cup,  which  to  every  follower 
of  our  common  Lord  and  Master  is  an  emblem  of 
undivided  love,  union  and  fellowship,  be  applied  to 
the  services  connected  with  the  most  sacred  of  all 
recollections — the  blood  that  was  shed  and  the  body 
that  was  broken ;  and  that  as  often  as  we  drink  of 
this  cup,  the  spirit  of  this  memorial  will  bind  us  to- 
gether, in  the  unity  of  the  spirit  and  the  bonds  of 
peace." 


THE    FIRST    BAPTIST    CHURCH 

Was  constituted,  March  25,  1801,  of  fourteen 
members  dismissed  from  the  Baptist  church  in  Dan- 
vers.  The  meeting-house,  48  by  45  feet,  was  erect- 
ed the  same  year.  In  1832  the  house  was  enlarged 
by  adding  16J  feet  to  its  length.  The  locality  being 
inconvenient  for  a  majority  of  the  society,  it  was 
taken  down  in  1837,  and  reconstructed  on  a  more 
central  site  under  the  direction  of  Nehemiah  Roundy. 
Robert  Curry,  Edward  Pousland,  John  Pickett,  Sam- 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  287 

uel  Smith,  Benjamin  Pierce,  Francis  Lamson,  Andrew 
W.  Standley,  John  P.  Webber  and  John  Meacom. 

The  house  is  62J  feet  long  and  45  feet  wide,  and 
presents  a  handsome  front,  ornamented  with  pilas- 
ters. The  tower  contains  a  bell  weighing  about 
1300  pounds.  The  pulpit  is  of  mahogany,  and  the 
interior  aspect  of  the  house  is  chaste.  The  cost  of 
re-construction  exceeded  $7000. 

In  September,  1801,  the  church  was  admitted  to 
the  fellowship  of  the  Warren  Association.  The  first 
minister  was  Rev.  Joshua  Young,  who  supplied  the 
pulpit  from  May  7th,  1801,  to  Dec.  1802,  but  was  not 
installed.  He  was  succeeded  June  15th,  1803,  by 
Rev.  Elisha  Williams,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College, 
whose  pastoral  relations  were  dissolved  at  his  own 
request,  Oct.  9th,  1812.  An  invitation  was  then 
given  to  Rev.  Herry  Jenks  of  Hudson,  N.  Y.  and 
accepted.  His  settlement  was  prevented  by  his  sud- 
den decease. 

August  14,  1816,  Mr.'Nathaniel  West  Williams,  of 
Salem,  was  ordained,  and  continued  in  the  ofliice  of 
pastor  till  Nov.  7,  1821,  when,  at  his  own  request, 
he  was  dismissed.  The  successor  of  Mr.  Williams 
was  Mr.  Francis  G.  Macomber,  a  graduate  of  Water- 
ville  College.  His  health  failed  soon  after  his  ordi- 
nation, and  at  the  suggestion  of  several  friends,  of 
whom  the  late  Dr.  Abbot  was  one,  he  was  induced 
to  try  the  temperature  of  a  southern  winter  for  its 
recovery.  He  sailed  for  Charleston,  S.  C,  where  he 
spent  several  months,  and  died  of  fever  July  3,  1827, 
soon  after  his  return.  The  late  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton, 
of  Newton,  who  preached  at  his  ordination,  was  also 
called  to  discharge  the  melancholy  duty  of  pronounc- 
ing his  funeral  discourse.     Mr.  Macomber's  remains 


288  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

were  interred  in  the  first  parish  burial-ground,  near 
the  common,  beside  those  of  Rev.  Samuel  Ingersoll. 
He  possessed  an  ardent  and  devout  mind.  He  loved 
his  profession  as  a  high  and  holy  calling,  and  gave 
earnest  of  extended  usefulness.  He  was  universally- 
beloved,  and  his  memory  is  still  fondly  cherished  by 
many.  In  the  course  of  his  short  ministry,  forty-two 
members  were  added  to  the  church. 

Feb.  1st,  1829,  Rev.  Richmond  Taggart,  from  the 
State  of  New  York,  was  chosen  pastor,  and  contin- 
ued till  December  following,  but  was  not  installed. 

June  30th,  1830,  Rev.  Jonathan  Aldrich,  a  gradu- 
ate of  Brown  University,  was  installed  pastor ;  and, 
at  his  own  request,  was  dismissed  May  24,  1833. 

September  10th,  1834,  Mr.  John  Jennings,  from  the 
theological  institution  at  Newton,  was  ordained 
pastor.  He  continued  until  June,  1836,  and  was 
then  dismissed  at  his  own  request.  In  the  month  of 
August  following.  Rev.  N.  W.  Williams  was  request- 
ed to  return  and  resume  the  pastorship,  with  which 
he  complied;  and  in  March,  1840,  at  his  own  re- 
quest, he  was  dismissed.  November  11,  1842,  Mr. 
Charles  W.  Flanders,  a  graduate  of  Brown  Univer- 
sity, was  ordained  pastor.  The  exercises  of  the  oc- 
casion were  as  follows  :  introductory  prayer  and 
reading  the  scriptures,  by  Rev.  P.  P.  Sanderson;  ser- 
mon and  charge,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Wayland,  of  Salem  ; 
ordaining  prayer,  by  Rev.  Lemuel  Porter;  right  hand 
of  fellowship,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Banvard,  of  Salem  ;  ad- 
dress to  the  society,  by  Rev.  L.  Porter ;  concluding 
prayer,  by  Rev.  Joseph  Abbot ;  benediction,  by  the 
pastor  elect.  Several  members  of  this  church  have 
been  dismissed,  to  constitute  churches  in  Salem, 
Gloucester  and  Wenham. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  289 


DANE-STREET    CHURCH. 


The  Dane-street  Church  was  organized  Novem- 
ber 9th,  1802.  The  society  obtained  an  act  of  incor- 
poration March  7th,  1803,  under  the  name  of  the 
Third  Congregational  Society,  which  name  was 
changed  in  1837  to  the  '' Dane-street  Society  in  Bev- 
erly." The  meeting  house  was  raised  in  September, 
1802,  and  finished  in  December,  1803,  at  an  expense 
of  between  $6000  and  $7000.  The  dedication  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  Rev.  Samuel  Worcester,  D.  D., 
of  Salem.  The  house  was  64  feet  long  and  50  feet 
wide,  with  a  porch  at  each  end,  from  which  were  en- 
trances to  the  floor  and  flights  of  stairs  to  the  gal- 
lery. There  was  also  an  entrance  to  the  body  of  the 
house  from  the  south  side.  At  the  western  end,  a 
tower  rose  about  twenty  feet  above  the  main  build- 
ing, in  which,  about  1815,  a  bell  was  placed  weigh- 
ing 1143  pounds. 

In  the  winter  and  spring  of  1831,  to  accommodate 
an  increasing  congregation,  some  important  altera- 
tions and  improvements  were  made,  which  rendered 
the  house  much  more  convenient.  On  Saturday 
night,  Dec.  8th,  1832,  between  10  and  11  o'clock,  a 
fire  was  discovered  on  the  lower  floor,  near  the  entry, 
and  in  the  balcony.  The  firemen  and  other  citizens, 
with  engines  and  fire  apparatus,  proceeded  immedi- 
ately to  the  scene  of  conflagration,  but  their  efforts 
were  unavailing,  and  the  edifice  was  entirely  de- 
stroyed. A  reward  of  $500  was  ofiered  by  the  par- 
ish committee,  but  nothing  conclusive,  as  to  the  ori- 
gin of  the  fire,  was  ever  elicited.  As  no  meeting  had 
been  held,  and  there  had  been  no  occasion  for  a  fire 
25 


290  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

during  the  week,  it  was  suspected  to  be  the  work  of 
an  incendiary. 

In  1833  a  new  house  was  erected,  by  shareholders, 
on  the  same  site,  73  feet  long  and  63  feet  wide.  The 
architecture  is  a  mixture  of  Gothic  and  Ionic.  It  is 
a  convenient  edifice,  and  its  frontal  view,  with  pillars, 
presents  an  imposing  appearance.  The  house,  includ- 
ing a  fine-toned  bell  weighing  1600  lbs.,  cost  about 
$10,000. 

The  first  minister  of  this  church  and  society  was 
Rev.  Joseph  Emerson. 

Mr.  Emerson,  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Ama  Emer- 
son, was  born  in  Hollis,  N.  H.,  October  13th,  1777, 
and  at  his  birth  was  devoted  in  heart  by  his  father 
to  the  ministry.  Of  this  he  was  early  informed,  and 
the  impression  no  doubt  had  some  influence  in  form- 
ing his  character.  His  constitution  was  greatly  im- 
paired by  a  complicated  disease  with  which  he  was 
attacked  when  about  six  months  old,  and  which  last- 
ed more  than  a  year.  In  childhood  he  was  distin- 
guished for  vivacity,  regard  for  truth,  and  frankness 
in  expressing  his  opinions.  A  vein  of  pleasantry 
ran  through  his  whole  life,  but  well  subdued  and 
modified  in  maturer  years.  In  person  he  was  tall 
and  slender ;  complexion  dark,  eyes  hazel,  and  ex- 
pression mild.  His  motions  Avere  quick,  but  not 
strong;  and  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  was 
bowed  and  emaciated  by  disease. 

Mr.  Emerson  pursued  his  preparatory  studies  at 
the  academy  in  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Mr.  Hubbard ;  and  in  1794,  in  the  seven- 
teenth year  of  his  age,  entered  Harvard  University; 
and  though,  during  the  period  of  his  college  life,  he 
was  subjected  to  much  severe  illness,  he  graduated 
with  a   good   character   for  scholarship.     While  at 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  291 

Cambridge,  his  mind  received  strong  religious  im- 
pressions, and  in  1797  he  made  a  pubHc  profession 
of  reUgion,  by  uniting  with  the  church  in  his  native 
town. 

After  leaving  college,  Mr.  Emerson  took  charge  of 
the  academy  in  Framingham,  Avhere  he  continued 
about  a  year,  and  then  removed  to  Franklin  to  pur- 
sue the  study  of  divinity  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
Emmons.  In  1800  he  returned  to  Cambridge,  with 
the  intention  of  remaining  six  months  as  resident 
graduate  of  the  college.  While  residing  with  Dr. 
Emmons  he  received,  through  President  Willard,  the 
offer  of  a  tutorship,  which  he  at  first  declined,  but  at 
length  accepted.  Having  been  approbated,  he  preach- 
ed in  various  places,  though  still  pursuing  his  profes- 
sional studies.  In  March,  1803,  he  was  engaged  for  six 
weeks  in  this  town,  and  in  June  following  received  a 
call  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  third  congregational 
society,  which,  after  prayerful  consideration,  and 
counselling  with  christian  friends,  he  accepted.  His 
ordination  took  place  on  the  21st  September.  The 
exercises  were  introduced  by  a  pertinent  and  solemn 
address  to  the  crowded  assembly,  from  Rev.  Mr. 
Hopkins;  Introductory  prayer,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Kellog; 
sermon,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Emmons,  from  Eph.  iii.  10; 
consecrating  prayer,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Spring;  charge,  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Dana ;  fellowship  of  the  churches,  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Worcester;  concluding  prayer,  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Bailey. 

Soon  after  his  ordination,  Mr.  Emerson  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Nancy  Eaton,  of  Framingham,  a  former 
pupil  and  friend,  who,  by  education  and  temperament, 
appeared  singularly  qualified  to  promote  his  literary 
and  religious  plans,  as  also  to  ensure  domestic  enjoy- 
ment.    But  this  "  treasure  in  an  earthen  vessel"  he 


292  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

was  not  permitted  long  to  possess,  as,  in  less  than  a 
year  from  the  consummation  of  their  union,  Mrs. 
Emerson  died,  having  just  entered  her  26th  year. 

In  the  summer  of  1805,  Mr.  Emerson  was  again 
married  to  Miss  Eleanor  Read,  of  Northbridge',  who 
was  distinguished  for  energy  of  character  and  supe- 
rior conversational  powers.  By  this  marriage  he  had 
one  child,  a  daughter,  who  was  early  called  to  mourn 
a  mother's  loss.  She  died  at  Leicester,  Nov.  7th, 
1808,  where  she  had  gone  for  the  improvement  of 
her  health.  This  affliction  was  severely  felt  by  Mr. 
Emerson,  but  in  the  religion  he  professed  he  found 
a  present  and  efficient  support.  His  third  wife  was 
Miss  Rebecca  Hasseltine,  of  Bradford,  Mass.  to  whom 
he  was  married  in  1810,  and  by  whom  he  had  sev-- 
eral  children. 

Mr.  Emerson's  ministry  in  this  town  was  active 
and  successful.  Beside  his  ordinary  pastoral  duties, 
and  the  labor  incurred  in  carrying  out  various  plans  for 
promoting  the  good  of  his  charge,  he  devoted  much 
attention  to  the  subject  of  education,  in  which  he 
felt  an  enthusiastic  interest,  and  also  prepared  for 
the  press  the  Memoir  and  Writings  of  Miss  Fanny 
Woodberry,  the  Evangelical  Primer,  and  several 
other  works. 

In  1811,  Mr.  Emerson's  right  wrist  was  affected  by 
a  disease  that  disabled  him  from  using  his  pen.  It 
settled  afterwards  in  the  left  wrist,  and  finally  in 
both  ancles,  so  that  it  became  necessary  for  him  to 
sit  while  performing  the  duties  of  the  pulpit;  and  the 
state  of  his  health,  in  1816,  was  such  as  to  require, 
in  his  judgment,  a  release,  for  a  time  at  least,  from 
professional  labor.  On  the  21st  September,  just 
thirteen  years  from  the  day  of  his  ordination,  his 
pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  by  mutual  council 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  293 

"  This  crisis  was  doubtless  extremely  trying  both  for 
him  and  for  his  affectionate  people.  It  was  sunder- 
ing the  bonds  of  first  love  on  both  sides,  as  he  was 
their  first  minister  and  they  his  only  people.  Still, 
the  severity  of  the  shock  was  much  broken  by  a  long 
and  gradually  increasing  anticipation  of  its  neces- 
sity." 

After  the  dissolution  of  this  connexion,  Mr.  Emer- 
son sailed  for  the  south,  where  he  passed  the  winter, 
with  the  hope  of  improving  his  health,  lu  Wil- 
mington, N.  C.  he  became  a  member  of  the  masonic 
fraternity,  and,  on  the  1st  Jan.  delivered  an  occa- 
sional sermon  before  the  freemasons  in  that  place. 
He  also  preached  on  several  other  occasions,  and  re- 
ceived numerous  tokens  of  affection  and  regard.  In 
Charleston,  S.  C.  the  following  June,  he  delivered  a 
course  of  lectures  on  the  Millennium,  which  was  pub- 
lished. 

After  his  return  from  the  south,  Mr.  Emerson  es- 
tablished a  literary  seminary  at  Byfield,  and,  in  the 
ensuing  winter,  delivered  a  course  of  astronomical 
lectures  to  a  popular  audience  in  Boston.  From  By- 
field  he  removed  to  Saugus,  where  he  continued  his 
school.  In  the  autumn  of  1823,  the  state  of  his 
health  requiring  another  voyage  to  the  south,  he 
sailed  for  Charleston,  where  he  passed  the  winter  in 
the  society  of  kind  friends,  "forming  plans  and  pro- 
jects" for  the  future.  On  returning  to  Saugus,  he 
continued  his  seminary  through  the  summer,  but  his 
feeble  state  compelling  him  to  relinquish  it,  he  removed 
to  Weathersfield,  Con.  In  1829,  he  visited  his  friends 
in  Beverly,  and  delivered  a  course  of  lectures  on  his- 
tory. The  winter  of  1830  he  spent  in  Charleston, 
S.  C.  and  repeated  his  historical  lectures.  On  his  re- 
25^ 


294  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

turn,  he  again  visited  Beverly,  and  gave  a  course  of 
familiar  lectures  on  Pollock's  Course  of  Time.  His 
literary  labors  were  continued  till  near  the  close  of 
his  life,  which  terminated  at  Weathersfield,  about 
midnight,  May  13,  1833,  in  the  56th  year  of  his  age. 
He  died  without  a  struggle,  and  "peace — more  than 
peace,"  were  among  the  last  words  he  was  heard  to 
utter. 

Mr.  Emerson  is  remembered  by  his  numerous  friends 
with  a  more  than  ordinary  depth  of  friendship.  On 
some  occasions  he  was  inclined  to  reserve,  but  gen- 
erally the  natural  enthusiasm  of  his  nature  imparted 
a  peculiar  charm  to  his  conversation,  and  made  him 
a  most  welcome  guest  and  desirable  companion.  As 
a  student,  he  was  diligent  almost  beyond  the  bounds 
of  prudence,  and  the  rapidity  with  which  he  multi- 
plied plans  for  the  moral  and  intellectual  improve- 
ment of  mankind  is  a  sufficient  evidence  of  the  ac- 
tivity of  his  mind.  As  a  teacher  of  youth,  he  was 
original,  practical  and  successful,  and  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  moral  culture  of  his  pupils.  As  a  man, 
"  he  knew  not  how  to  dissemble  nor  to  wear  a 
mask.  As  a  Christian,  he  was  characterized  for  the 
habitual  fervor  of  his  devotional  feelings,  an  earnest 
love  of  truth,  a  deep-wrought  humility,  and  a  warm 
and  expanded  benevolence."  ^ 

Mr.  Emerson  was  succeeded  in  the  pastoral  office 
in  this  place,  by  Rev.  David  Oliphant.  The  services 
of  installation  took  place  Feb.  18th,  1818,  in  the  fol- 
lowing order :  Introductory  prayer  by  Rev,  Mr.  Da- 
na ;  sermon  by  Rev.  Dr.  Porter ;  consecrating  prayer 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Thurston  ;  charge  by  Rev.  Mr.  Worces- 

♦  See  Life  of  Rev  Joseph  Emerson,  by  Prof.  Ralph  Emerson. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  295 

ter ;  right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  Mr.  Emerson; 
concluding  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Edwards.  Mr.  Oli- 
phant  was  dissmissed,  agreeably  to  the  result  of  a 
mutual  council,  in  1833,  and  Oct.  13th,  1834,  Mr.  Jo- 
seph Abbot  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  and 
society,  at  which  time  the  present  meeting-house  was 
also  dedicated.  The  exercises  of  the  occasion  were 
as  follows :  Introductory  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Dana, 
of  Newburyport;  reading  selections  from  the  Scrip- 
tures by  Rev.  M.  March,  of  Newbury ;  prayer  of  ded- 
ication by  Rev.  Leonard  Withington,  of  Newbury; 
sermon  by  Rev.  Professor  Ralph  Emerson,  of  Ando- 
ver  Theological  Seminary,  from  Johniii.  29 ;  ordain- 
ing prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Dana,  of  Marblehead  ;  charge 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Dana,  of  Newburyport ;  right  hand  of 
fellowship  by  Rev.  Mr.  Ober,  of  Newbury ;  address 
to  the  church  and  society  by  Rev.  Brown  Emerson, 
of  Salem ;  concluding  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Emerson, 
of  Manchester ;  benediction  by  the  pastor  elect. 


FARMS   CHURCH. 

The  Farms  Church  was  organized  in  1829,  for  the 
better  accommodation  of  the  families  residing  in  that 
part  of  the  town,  who  were  living  from  four  to  five 
miles  distant  from  the  meeting-houses  in  Beverly ; 
and  September  23d,  Mr.  Benjamin  Knight  was  or- 
dained as  their  pastor,  in  the  meeting-house  of  the 
first  parish.  The  introductory  prayer  was  oflered 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Robinson,  of  Rowley ;  sermon  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Millard,  from  the  State  of  New  York :  ordaining 
prayer,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Kilton,  of  Salem ;  right  hand  of 


296  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

fellowship,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Pierce,  of  Essex.  The  name 
assumed  by  the  church,  was  CJu^istiaii.  In  January, 
1830.  their  meeting-house  was  dedicated  to  the  pub- 
he  worship  of  God.  This  house  is  of  brick,  about 
forty  feet  square,  and  contains  forty-four  pews  on 
the  ground  floor,  besides  six  in  the  gallery.  The 
cost  was  about  §1600.  August  4,  1831,  the  first 
church  presented  this  church  a  silver  tankard,  with 
the  following  inscription:  "The  gift  of  the  First 
Church  in  Beverly  to  the  Church  at  Beverly  Farms." 
The  present  was  suitably  acknowledged  in  a  letter 
from  the  pastor.  Mr.  Knight  afterwards  united  with 
the  Baptist  denomination,  with  which  the  church  is 
now  in  fellowship,  and  in  1834  or  '35,  his  pastoral 
relation  was  dissolved.  His  successors  have  been 
Rev.  Mr.  Gilbert,  Rev.  P.  P.  Sanderson  and  Rev. 
Sumner  Hale. 


FOURTH  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 

The  Fourth  Congregational  Church  was  organ- 
ized September  1,  1834,  and  the  society  December 
11th  following.  The  corner-stone  of  a  new  meet- 
ing-house was  laid,  and  the  frame  erected,  September 
6th,  1836,  on  which  occasion  a  prayer  was  offered 
by  the  pastor,  Rev.  John  Foote.  The  house  was 
consecrated  December  29th,  the  same  year.  The 
services  on  the  occasion,  besides  appropriate  music, 
were  as  follows  :  Introductory  prayer  and  reading 
select  portions  of  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Sperry, 
of  Wenham  ;  prayer  of  dedication,  by  Rev.  Joseph 
Abbot,  of  Beverly  ;  sermon,  from  Psalm  Ixxxiv.  2,  3, 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  297 

by  Rev.  Brown  Emerson,  D.D.  of  Salem;  conclud- 
ing prayer,  by  Rev.  John  Foote.  The  exercises  were 
interesting  and  appropriate,  and  were  participated  in 
by  a  large  assembly. 

The  meeting-house,  which  presents  a  neat  appear- 
ance, is  located  opposite  the  house  formerly  the  resi- 
dence of  Rev.  John  Chipman.  It  was  erected  by  Mr. 
Jacob  Dodge,  of  Wenham,  under  the  superintendence 
of  Messrs.  Benjamin  Woodberry  2d,  Peter  Shaw, 
Samuel  Lummus,  Francis  Woodberry  and  Charles 
Moulton.  The  house  is  fifty-one  feet  long,  thirty- 
seven  feet  wide,  and  is  surmounted  by  a  cupola  with 
pinnacles.  It  is  entered  by  two  doors,  and  contains 
forty-six  pews,  besides  six  slips  for  the  choir.  The 
whole  cost,  including  the  site,  was  about  $2,500. 


WASHINGTON-STREET    SOCIETY. 

The  Washington-Street  Society  was  formed  in 
1836.  The  meeting-house  was  raised  September  5th 
of  the  same  year,  on  which  occasion  religious  ser- 
vices were  performed  by  Rev.  David  Oliphant,  for- 
merly pastor  of  the  Dane-street  church.  This  house 
was  built  by  William  Webber  and  Benjamin  P.  Kim- 
ball, under  the  superintendence  of  Jonathan  Batch- 
elder,  Philip  English  and  Ezra  Ellingwood.  It  is 
17  feet  long  and  52  feet  wide.  The  pulpit  is  of 
mahogany,  and  the  whole  interior  arrangements 
are  neat  and  convenient.  A  handsome  Grecian  por- 
tico ornaments  the  front,  and  the  cupola  contains  a 
bell  weighing  1738  pounds.  The  whole  cost  was 
$9387  33.     The  house  is  ehgibly  situated  on  Wash- 


298  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

ington-street,   the   appearance  of  which    it   greatly 
improves. 

The  church  was  constituted  February  8th,  1837, 
and  March  29th  following,  the  meeting-house  was 
dedicated  to  the  service  of  God, — on  which  occasion 
an  appropriate  discourse  was  delivered  by  Rev. 
Worthington  Smith,  of  St.  Albans,  Yt.  from  Gen. 
xxviii.  17.  On  the  3d  of  January,  1838,  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Bushnell  Avas  installed  pastor  of  the  church  and 
congregation.  The  interesting  solemnities  were  as 
follows  :  Introductory  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  McEwin, 
of  Topsfield ;  sermon  by  Rev.  William  Williams,  of 
Salem ;  installing  prayer  by  Rev.  Brown  Emerson, 
of  Salem  ;  charge  by  Rev.  Robert  Crowell,  of  Essex  ; 
right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  Joseph  Abbot,  of 
Beverly ;  address  to  the  people  by  Rev.  Milton  P. 
Bramin,  of  Danvers;  concluding  prayer  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Worcester,  of  Salem.  May  9th,  1842,  Rev. 
Mr.  Bushnell,  at  his  own  request,  and  by  advice 
of  a  mutual  council,  was  dismissed  from  his  pastoral 
relations,  having  previously  received  an  invitation 
to  become  pastor  of  the  first  church  and  society  in 
Newton. 

Mr.  Bushnell  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  George  T. 
Dole,  whose  ordination  took  place  Oct.  6, 1842.  The 
introductory  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Mr.  Foote, 
of  Beverly  ;  sermon  by  Rev.  Mr.  Blanchard,  of  Low- 
ell, from  Rom.  x.  4 ;  ordaining  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Mann,  of  Salem  ;  charge  by  Rev.  Dr.  Emerson,  of 
Salem  ;  fellowship  of  the  churches  by  Rev.  Mr.  Tay- 
lor, of  Manchester  ;  address  to  the  church  and  society 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Worcester,  of  Salem  ;  concluding  prayer 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Sessions,  of  Salem  ;  benediction  by  the 
pastor  elect. 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  299 

A  Universalist  Society  was  organized  in  1839, 
and  meetings  are  occasionally  held  in  the  town-hall. 


SABBATH    SCHOOLS. 

From  the  establishment  of  the  first  church  in  this 
town,  the  religious  education  of  the  young  was  made 
a  part  of  ministerial  duty.  The  parish  minister  vis- 
ited the  families  of  his  charge  at  least  once  in  each 
year,  or  gathered  the  children  at  some  convenient 
place  for  catechetical  instruction.  About  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  century  this  practice,  ow- 
ing probably  to  a  diversity  of  views  concerning  the 
manuals  used,  fell  into  disuse,  and  nearly  the  whole  re- 
sponsibility devolved  on  parents  and  guardians.  The 
devout  and  conscientious  among  them  faithfully  exe- 
cuted their  trust ;  but  still  many  youth  were  found 
to  be  growing  up  under  no  other  religious  influence 
than  that  resulting  from  public  worship  on  the  sab- 
bath, which,  as  it  was  not  always  seconded  by  moral 
precept  through  the  week,  often  failed  to  produce  its 
legitimate  and  happiest  effect.  The  evil  resulting  to 
society  from  the  neglect  of  domestic  religious  instruc- 
tion, was  felt  and  acknowledged  throughout  the 
country.  As  the  interest  deepened  for  the  moral 
improvement  of  the  rising  generation,  various  plans 
were  suggested  and  temporarily  adopted.  The  sab- 
bath-school system  originated  by  Robert  Raikes  in 
England,  for  the  benefit  of  the  neglected  children  of 
his  neighborhood,  now  began  to  attract  public  notice, 
and  one  of  the  earliest  trials  of  it  in  New  England 
was  made  in  this  town.     In  1810,  two  ladies   of  the 


300  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

first  church  (Miss  Joanna  Prince,  now  Mrs.  Ebenezer 
Everett,  of  Brunswick,  Me.,  and  Miss  Hannah  Hill,) 
collected  a  number  of  children  and  commenced  a 
Sunday-school.  Their  eiforts  were  crowned  with 
entire  success,  and  they  before  long  enjoyed  the  plea- 
sure of  witnessing  the  establishment  of  similar  insti- 
tutions in  each  of  the  religious  societies  in  town. 
The  number  of  pupils  and  teachers  connected  with  all 
the  schools,  is  between  eleven  and  twelve  hundred, 
and  the  catalogues  of  the  different  libraries  present  an 
aggregate  of  nearly  2000  volumes. 

The  importance  of  Sunday-schools  is  a  point  too 
well  -  established  and  too  universally  admitted,  to 
require  argument  or  illustration.  As  related  to  the 
future,  their  value  is  incalculable.  The  field  they 
open  for  moral  culture  is  all  the  most  devoted  friends 
of  religious  progress  can  desire.  They  constitute  at 
once  the  fountain  of  the  church  and  the  nursery  of 
public  morals.  Among  the  pleasing  incidents  in  their 
history  here,  is  a  Union  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of 
July,  1842. 

At  eight  o'clock,  a.  m.,  according  to  previous  ar- 
rangement, the  sabbath-schools  connected  with  the 
seven  churches,  accompanied  by  their  teachers  and 
respective  pastors,  entered  the  public  square  on  the 
southerly  side  of  the  town-hall,  where  a  stage  had 
been  prepared  for  the  performance  of  the  services  of 
the  occasion,  which  were  participated  in  by  Rev. 
Messrs.  Thayer,  Abbot,  Stone  and  Flanders.  After 
the  singing  of  a  hymn  by  a  large  volunteer  choir, 
an  appropriate  and  impressive  prayer  was  offered  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  of  the  first  church.  This  was  suc- 
ceeded by  a  temperance  hymn,  sung  to  the  inspiring 
strain  of  "  Scots  wha  hae."    Robert  Rantoul,  jr.  Esq., 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  301 

then  addressed  the  teachers  and  pupils,  amounting  to 
between  eleven  and  twelve  hundred,  and  the  crowd 
of  spectators,  amounting  probably  to  as  many  more. 
His  subject  was  the  effects  of  the  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence on  us,  and  its  probable  effects  on  our  child- 
ren. He  contrasted  the  present  with  former  methods 
of  celebrating  the  nation's  birth.  Formerly  our  re- 
joicings were  for  victories  bought  with  blood — now 
we  triumph  in  moral  victories.  He  spoke  also  of  the 
temperance  movements  as  a  sign  of  good,  and  of  the 
influence  of  sabbath-schools  on  the  present  and  future 
condition  of  our  country.  Much,  he  said,  of  the 
present  happy  condition  of  this  nation  was  owing  to 
institutions  like  those  assembled  around  him.  Anoth- 
er hymn  was  then  sung,  and  the  services  closed  with 
a  benediction  by  Rev.  Mr.  Flanders. 

The  scene  was  one  of  intense  interest.  The  happy 
countenances  of  so  many  youth  hemming  the  verdant 
lawn,  and  the  eager  gaze  of  the  multitude  surround- 
ing the  square  and  thronging  the  windows  of  the 
adjacent  houses,  formed  a  picture  of  surpassing  beauty ; 
and  as  a  thousand  voices  swelled  upon  the  air  with 
melodious  sounds,  the  mind  leaped  forward  with  the 
swiftness  of  thought  to  the  glorious  consummation  of 
prophecy,  when  the  united  and  innumerable  assem- 
bly of  the  redeemed  will  fill  the  eternal  temple  with 
songs  of  everlasting  praise. 

After  the  exercises  on  the  square  were  closed,  the 
schools  formed  in  procession,  and  marching  through 
several  streets  entered  the  town-hall,  where  an  ele- 
gant collation  had  been  provided,  on  which  a  blessing 
was  craved  by  Rev.  Mr.  Foote.  Here  the  scene  was 
more  animating,  if  possible,  than  that  just  described. 
The  tables  were  tastefully  decorated  with  flowers, 
26 


302  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

and  profusely  provided  with  cake  and  fruits.  The 
pupils  were  seated,  and  served  by  their  teachers,  and 
for  an  hour  or  more,  a  rational  and  orderly  hilarity 
was  indulged,  with  no  other  stimulant  than  cold 
water.  It  was  truly  a  spectacle  for  gratulation  and 
hope,  and  the  enchanting  display  might  incline  an 
imaginative  spectator  to  the  suspicion  that  the  "  mod- 
est inquiry  into  the  nature  of  witchcraft  "  put  forth 
by  the  pious  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  1692,  had 
failed  to  answer  its  design,  and  that  the  necromantic 
art  still  prevailed.  It  was  evident,  however,  that  if 
such  were  the  fact,  the  character  of  enchantresses 
had  radically  changed.  They  were  no  longer  like 
the  ''  weird  sisters  "  of  Avon's  bard,  performing  their 
orgies  in  lonely  glens  and  gloomy  caverns,  or  "  flying 
over  steeples,  towers  and  turrets,"  as  wayward  dis- 
positions prompted.  Nor  did  they  resemble  those  of 
Salem  Village  memory,  who  were  said  to  appear  in 
hideous  forms,  and  torment  good  people  "  before  their 
time."  Beyond  a  doubt,  the  fair  enchantresses  of  the 
day  were  of  the  good  genii  order,  and  the  exercise 
of  their  art  to  gratify  was  entirely  successful.  They 
had  here  called  up  a  beautiful  reality,  the  delightful 
impressions  of  which  time  will  only  serve  to  deepen. 
The  christian  and  social  sympathies  awakened  by 
the  occasion  will  not  pass  away  with  the  hour  that 
gave  them  birth.  We  rejoice  to  believe  that  they  will 
have  a  permanent  existence,  and  produce  extensive 
good. 


CONCLUSION 


The  changes  wrought  in  two  hundred  years  have 
not  been  dissimilar  here  to  those  which  have  marked 
the  progress  of  civilization  elsewhere.  The  sturdy 
forests  have  become  fruitful  fields.  The  footpaths 
of  the  aboriginal  owners  have  been  supplanted  by 
numerous  and  well-constructed  highways;  the  rude 
"  log  cabins  "  of  the  early  settlers  have  given  place 
to  neat  and  commodious  dwellings  ;  and  nothing  in 
its  aspect  remains  to  testify  that,  two  centuries  ago, 
the  town  was  a  howling  wilderness  !  The  habits  of 
the  first  settlers,  if  tradition  may  be  relied  upon, 
were  simple,  and  in  harmony  with  the  rudeness  of 
their  habitations.  The  conveniences  of  life  were 
few — its  luxuries  less.  The  table  presented  little 
that  was  tempting  to  an  epicurean  palate,  yet  a  long 
and  vigorous  life  and  "  a  short  doctor's  bill  "  were 
doubtless  satisfactory  equivalents  for  the  "  delicate 
morsels  "  so  indispensable  to  a  modern  gourmand. 
More  of  the  farinaceous  and  less  of  the  animal  en- 
tered into  the  composition  of  their  food.  Knives 
and  forks  were  in  limited  use,  but  spoons  were  in 
universal  requisition.  The  joint  of  meat  seldom  ex- 
haled its  savory  odour  to  quicken  a  sluggish  appe- 
tite ;  but  the  huge  pot  might  be  daily  seen  suspended 
by  "  the  long  trammel "  over  an  ample  fire,  fulfilling 


304  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

its  destiny  in  blending,  with  mysterious  simmerings, 
the  ingredients  which  composed  the  standard  dishes 
of  the  age — black  broth  and  bean  porridge.  The 
popular  esculent  of  the  Emerald  Isle  was  but  little 
cultivated,  and  as  little  used ;  but  the  emblem  of 
Dutch  obesity,  commonly  known  as  the  Dutch  tur- 
nip;  was  a  universal  favorite  both  in  the  field  and 
on  the  table.  Six  bushels  of  potatoes  were  a  suffi- 
cient winter's  supply  for  a  neighborhood,  but  fifty 
bushels  of  turnips  were  necessary  to  the  comfort  of 
a  single  family. 

Among  the  articles  not  indispensable,  that  early 
found  grace  in  the  eyes  of  the  provident  housewife, 
the  "  wooden  trencher  "  holds  a  conspicuous  place. 
Its  neatly  sunken  interior  surface  rendered  it  a  con- 
venient substitute  for  delf  or  finer  potter's  ware,  and 
when  scoured  to  almost  linen  whiteness,  and  placed 
before  the  "  good-man"  at  the  hour  of  repast,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  his  eyes  twinkled  with  satisfac- 
tion. It  was  not  an  every-day  luxury,  enjoyed  by 
the  mass,  and  happy  the  favored  household  in  hum- 
ble life  who  could  substitute  an  article  so  well  con- 
trived, for  the  square  bit  of  board  that  served  the 
purpose  of  a  plate.  But  short-lived  was  the  trench- 
er's triumph.  The  "  good- wife  "  grew  weary  of 
her  rustic  vv^are,  and  soon  the  ample  "  dresser  "  dis- 
played its  rows  of  shining  pewter,  from  the  "great 
platter"  down  by  regular  gradation  to  the  little 
''porringer"  with  its  broad  lattice-work  handle, 
combining  show  with  economy,  and  displacing  for- 
ever its  unpretending  predecessor,  while  the  angular 
shelves  of  the  "  bowfat "  in  the  corner  of  the 
"  clock-room,"  were  graced  by  a  "  tea-set  "  of  more 
brittle  ware,  used  only  "  for  company  "  or  on  holiday 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  305 

occasions.  These,  too,  had  their  day,  and  a  glorious 
one  it  was  in  the  house  of  thrift.  But  its  sun  has 
set.  Piece  by  piece,  the  pride  of  the  kitchen  has 
sunk  into  that  "  receptacle  for  things  lost,"  the 
Yankee  pedler's  wagon,  and  the  workmanship  of 
Liverpool  "  reigns  in  their  stead." 

The  sanded  floor,  so  curiously  drawn  in  figures, 
is  no  longer  the  theatre  of  the  house-maid's  skill. 
Paint  has  usurped  her  vocation,  while  a  "  Wilton," 
or   the  manufacture   of  Brussels,  adorns  the  "  best 
room,"  with  their  accompaniments  of  stuffed  chairs, 
ottomans  and  sofas.     The  capacious   "  settle,"  too, 
the  birth-place  of  many  a  winter  evening's  tale,  is 
gone.      The  mammoth  fire-place,  on  whose  ample 
hearth  once  blazed  huge  logs  and  crackling  faggots, 
and  within  whose  deep  jambs  the  youthful  household 
speculated  on  the  distance  of  the  stars  that  met  their 
upward  gaze,  has  been  supplanted  by  the  economi- 
cal   and    unsocial    stove.     The    "good-wife"   and 
modest  maiden  no  longer  mount  the  tastefully  trim- 
med pillion,  as,  at  the  church  bell's  bidding,  '^  good- 
man  "  and  "  intended "   convey  them  to  the  sanc- 
tuary.    The  jolting  chair  has  yielded  precedence  to 
the  chaise  and  carriage.     The  flowing  wig  and  ven- 
erable cocked   hat,  so  cherished  by  ministers,  dea- 
cons and  all  high  in  office,  are  among  the  things  that 
were.    The  huckster's  stand,  and  the  portable  "  bar" 
emitting  its  alcoholic  fumes,  have  ceased  to  collect  a 
motley  group  of  patrons  at  the  church  door  on  ordi- 
nation days,  blending  as  it  were,  pandemonium  with 
paradise.     Hoops  and  pattens,  silk  clocks  and  top- 
knots, tunics  and  scarlet  riding  cloaks,  sacks  and 
ruffle   cuff's,    smallclothes   and   silver    buckles,   em- 
broidered  vests  and  neck-ties,   powdered   hair   and 
26=^ 


306  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

cues,  have  all  mirrored  the  fashion  of  their  time, 
and  given  place  to  the  less  stately,  but  perhaps  not 
less  graceful,  costume  of  the  present. 

To  the  legendary  there  are  few  points  of  interest 
in  this  town,  and  but  little  to  gratify  lovers  of  the 
marvellous.  It  is  true,  the  accusation  of  witchcraft 
reached  several  of  its  inhabitants  and  procured  their 
condemnation  during  the  prevalence  of  that  popular 
frenzy ;  but  neither  of  them  was  executed  here  or 
elsewhere,  nor  is  it  known  or  suspected  that  Kidd 
or  any  other  bucaniers  ever  buried  any  of  their  ill- 
gotten  booty  in  the  sands  of  this  harbor.  Here  are 
neither  gloomy  caverns  nor  murderous-looking  glens, 
with  which  are  associated  tales  of  terror  and  woe. 
No  fortune-teller  has  ever  had  habitation  here,  to 
give  eclat  to  the  annals  of  mystery,  neither  has  the 
appearance  of  a  veritable  ghost  ever  been  authenti- 
cated. In  these,  and  many  similar  particulars,  Bev- 
erly must  relinquish  the  palm  to  other  towns.  And 
though  it  may  dissipate  the  illusion  of  a  well-told 
story,  and  take  somewhat  from  the  capital  of  suc- 
ceeding writers  of  fiction,  as  well  as  lose  to  the  town 
a  certain  description  of  notoriety,  regard  for  truth 
compels  the  affirmation  that  Gallows  Bridge  is  a 
corruption  of  Salloivs,  (the  name  of  a  family  early 
settled  in  that  neighborhood,)  and  that  no  execution 
ever  took  place  in  this  town. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  town  are  characterized  for 
industry,  prudence,  sobriety  and  love  of  order.  That 
they  possess  a  commendable  public  spirit,  the  im- 
provement of  their  streets,  churches,  and  other  pub- 
lic buildings,  affords  sufficient  evidence.  They  have 
never  been  eager  to  engage  in  extravagant  specula- 
tions, by  which  many  make  luisuccessful   "haste  to 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  307 

be  rich,"  but  have  been  contented  with  a  safe  and 
sure  business,  affording  moderate  and  uniform  prof- 
its. Hence,  they  have  experienced  few  of  those 
embarrassments  by  which  the  prosperity  of  many 
places  have  been  seriously  affected,  while  they  have 
built  up  for  themselves  a  sound  and  honorable  credit. 
There  is  nothing  pecuhar  in  the  address  or  habits  of 
the  present  generation,  by  which  they  are  distin- 
guished from  other  towns  in  the  county.  The  anec- 
dote related,  of  the  vessel  sailing  from  this  port  mak- 
ing signal  of  distress,  when  within  three  days  of  her 
destination,  in  consequence  of  having  but  three  bar- 
rels of  beans  on  board,  though  plentifully  supplied 
with  other  provisions,  was  doubtless  intended  as  a 
pleasantry  upon  the  supposed  unusual  consumption 
of  that  article  here ;  but,  like  many  other  fictions, 
has  not  the  merit  of  a  fact  to  give  it  point. 

Instances  of  litigation  in  this  town  have  been  few. 
The  late  Nathan  Dane,  who  for  many  years  had  the 
entire  business,  observed  some  time  before  his  de- 
cease, that  his  receipts  for  practice  as  a  lawyer,  in 
Beverly,  had  never  been  sufficient  to  pay  his  annual 
bill  for  fuel.  So  reluctant  have  the  citizens  generally 
been  to  adjust  their  difficulties  by  legal  process,  that 
no  member  of  the  profession  has  ever  obtained  a 
livelihood  here  from  his  fees  alone.  Criminal  prose- 
cutions have  also  been  rare ;  and  it  was  recently  re- 
marked, by  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Essex  bar, 
as  a  singular  fact  in  his  experience,  that  during  a 
practice  in  the  courts  of  nearly  forty  years,  he  had 
never  known  a  native  of  Beverly  convicted  of  any 
heinous  crime. 

The  clerical  profession  has  ever  sustained  here  a 
high  character  for  talents,  piety  and  patriotism.    The 


308  HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY. 

records  of  the  town,  and  of  the  parishes,  show  that 
the  clergymen  took  enlarged  views  of  their  duties 
and  responsibilities  as  pastors  and  citizens ;  and  that, 
besides  the  labor  they  devoted  to  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion, their  services  were  frequently  required  by  the 
town  in  the  transaction  of  important  public  affairs. 

It  is  pleasant  and  instructive  to  contemplate  the 
character  of  the  generations  who  have  lived  here 
before  us.  For  the  most  part,  they  were  a  pious 
people,  and  mingled  the  religious  sentiment  with  all 
their  acts.  Their  numerous  fasts  declare  with  what 
constancy  they  relied  on  an  interposing  providence 
in  every  scene  of  trial  and  hour  of  calamity.  They 
loved  the  house  of  God,  as  the  place  in  w^hich  they 
might  feel  the  divine  presence,  and  improve  their 
hearts,  refresh  their  spirits,  and  be  disburdened  of 
their  sorrows.  To  them  and  their  household,  the 
sabbath  was  a  day  of  sacred  rest.  Before  sunset  on 
Saturday,  the  toils  of  the  week  were  closed.  The 
meat  and  vegetables  were  brought  from  the  cellar 
and  prepared,  as  far  as  possible,  for  the  Sunday  din- 
ner ;  and  when  the  sabbath  sun  arose,  the  stillness  of 
the  day  was  not  permitted  to  be  disturbed  by  unne- 
cessary noise.  No  member  of  the  family  was  excus- 
ed from  "meeting,"  except  for  sickness;  the  bible 
and  religious  books  engaged  the  attention  of  each  be- 
tween the  seasons  of  worship ;  rambling  in  the  fields, 
riding  for  pleasure,  and  visits,  were  prohibited ;  the 
children  were  "catechised,"  and  questioned  concern- 
ing the  sermon ;  and  at  an  early  hour  retired  to  re- 
pose. They  were  a  prayerful  people,  and  there  were 
but  few  dweUings  in  which  a  family  altar  was  not  to 
be  found.  They  sincerely  desired  to  train  their  fam- 
ilies in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord ;  and 


HISTORY    OF    BEVERLY.  309 

though  some  may  think  the  means  employed  were 
not  always  the  best  adapted  to  accomplish  the  end, 
or  may  smile  at  their  "  puritan  strictness,"  it  is  a 
point  worth  considering,  how  much  is  likely  to  be 
gained  to  morals  by  a  less  scrupulous  sanctification 
of  holy  time. 

The  religious  character  of  preceding  generations 
has  doubtless  contributed  essentially  to  the  sound- 
ness of  moral  sentiment  at  the  present  day.  The 
direct  influence  of  Christianity  on  the  habits  of  the 
inhabitants  of  this  town,  is  visible  and  general.  The 
number  who  habitually  absent  themselves  from  pub- 
lic worship,  is  comparatively  small ;  and  the  institu- 
tions of  religion  are,  for  the  most  part,  liberally  sus- 
tained. 

To  the  young,  the  pages  of  the  Past  are  replete 
with  practical  suggestions.  In  the  integrity,  patriot- 
ism, reverence  for  constitutional  law,  and  piety,  of 
their  ancestors,  they  may  perceive  the  index  that 
points  their  own  course  to  usefulness,  respectability 
and  happiness. 


NOTES. 


A. — PAGE  27. 

"  The  battle  of  Bloody  Brook,  that  fierce  onslaught,  of  which 
the  old  record  says,  with  a  native  poetry,  '  Never  had  this  coun- 
try seen  such  a  bloody  hour,' "  has  been  celebrated  by  one  of  our 
native  poets  (George  Lunt)  in  a  ballad,  from  which  are  subjoined 
the  closing  stanzas : 

"  Ah,  gallant  few !  No  generous  foe 

Had  met  them  by  that  crimsoned  tide  ; 
Vain  even  despair's  resistless  blow, — 

As  brave  men  do  and  die, — they  died! 
Yet  not  in  vain, — a  cry  that  shook 

The  inmost  forest's  desert  glooms, 
Swelled  o'er  their  graves,  until  it  broke 

In  storm  around  the  red  man's  homes ! 

"But  beating  hearts,  far,  far  away. 

Broke  at  their  story's  fearful  truth. 
And  maidens  sweet,  for  many  a  day 

"Wept  o'er  the  vanished  dreams  of  youth  ; 
By  the  blue  distant  ocean-tide. 

Wept  years,  long  years,  to  hear  them  tell 
How  by  the  wild  wood's  lonely  side 

The  FLOWER  OF  Essex  fell ! 

"  And  that  sweet  nameless  stream,  whose  flood 

Grew  dark  with  battle's  ruddy  stain, 
Threw  ofif  the  tinge  of  murder's  blood, 

And  flowed  as  bright  and  pure  again  ; 
But  that  wild  day, — its  hour  of  fame, — 

Stamped  deep  its  history's  crimson  tears, 
Till  Bloody  Brook  became  a  name 

To  stir  the  hearts  of  after  years !  " 


NOTES.  311 


B.— PAGE  120. 


During  the  revolutionary  war,  the  vessel  on  board  of  which  a  part 
of  the  library  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Richard  Kirwan  was  shipped 
for  transportation  across  the  Irish  channel,  was  captured  by  an 
American  privateer.  These  books  were  brought  into  Beverly  and 
sold.  A  company  of  gentlemen,  consisting  of  Rev.  J.  Willard 
and  Dr.  Joshua  Fisher,  of  Beverly,  Rev.  S.  Barnard,  Rev.  J. 
Prince,  Dr.  E.  A.  Holyoke  and  Dr.  J.  Orne,  of  Salem,  and  Rev. 
M.  Cutler,  of  Hamilton,  became  the  purchasers  ;  and  thus  was 
laid  the  foundation  of  the  Salem  Philosophical  Library  (probably 
in  the  spring  of  1781).  The  Philosophical  Library  and  the  So- 
cial Library,  formed  in  1760,  were  united  in  1810,  under  the  name 
of  the  Salem  Athenasum. 


C— PAGE  156. 

Henry  Hale,  the  second  eon  of  Robert  Hale,  sen.  was  bom  in 
Beverly,  Dec.  19,  1712.  At  the  age  of  seven,  his  father  died,  and 
the  responsibility  of  his  preparatory  studies  and  collegiate  educa- 
tion devolved  on  his  brother,  to  whom  he  was  tenderly  attached. 
He  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1731,  at  the  age  of  19,  and 
was  master  of  the  grammar-school  in  this  town  one  or  more  years. 
August  25th,  1735,  he  was  married  to  Anna,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min Ober.  The  time  of  his  death  is  not  known ;  but  his  wife  was 
a  widow  in  1740,  in  which  year  she  sold  an  estate  to  William 
Bartlett,  of  Marblehead,  for  £300.  Henry  Hale  owned  a  lot  of 
land  "  at  upper  side"  (probably  second  parish),  and  a  "  right  in 
Gilmantown."  In  an  account  current,  his  brother  credits  his  es- 
tate with  £7.10  for  "  his  part  of  the  land  of  Nod,  sold  to  John 
How."  The  only  remains  of  Henry,  are  a  few  letters  written  to 
Col.  Robert  Hale,  while  in  college. 


312 


NOTES. 


Province  Tax. — The  following  table  exhibits  the  amount  of  the 
Province  tax  assessed  in  various  years  from  1670  to  1751,  with 
the  proportion  paid  by  the  county  of  Essex  and  by  this  town : 


Years. 

Tax  Assessed. 

Paid  by  County. 

Paid  by  Beverly. 

1670 

£1,205  13    0 

£14  10    0 

1674 

1,299    9    2 

15  13    0 

1675 

unknown. 

16    0    0 

1675-^ 

1,280    9  11 

16    0    8 

1692 

30,000    0    0 

*£4,851  11    6 

*297  15  11 

1696 

9,619  10    0 

2,403    0    0 

120    0    0 

1698 

8,168    5    0 

1,916    5    0 

100    0    0 

1702 

6,063  14    6 

1,400    2    0 

68    2    0 

1705 

22,422  10    0 

5,272  10    0 

261    0    0 

1709 

22,778    7    3 

5,320    4    2 

261    0    0 

1710 

about  same. 

about  same. 

about  same. 

1711 

(( 

li 

it 

1712 

(( 

ti 

a 

1713 

u 

« 

u 

1714 

{( 

u 

125    9    0 

1715 

11,000    0    0 

2,556  14    2 

unknown. 

1721 

6,000    0    0 

not  complete. 

60  18    9 

1726 

20,000    0    0 

4,118     8     8 

199    7    0 

1730 

10,591  18    0 

2,063  19    5 

97  13    0 

1737 

48,920    9    3 

9,855  13    6 

392    4    3 

1741 

tl8,000    0    0 

1,823  18    6 

70    6    3 

1746 

3,169    1    3 

6,034    2    0 

236  11    9 

1751 

35,685    0    0 

6,513    7    0 

237     1     0 

*  Paid  on  two  parts. 


t  "  Present  tenor." 


NOTES.  313 


E.— PAGE  174. 

The  following  persons  belonging  to  Beverly  were  committed  to 
Mill  Prison,  England,  during  the  revolutionary  war : — 

Michael  Down,  of  brig  Rambler,  taken  Oct.  21,  1779 ;  commit- 
ted Feb.  16,  1780. 

Benjamin  Chipman,  of  schooner  Warren,  taken  Dec.  27,  1777, 
and  committed  June  4,  1778.* 

Joseph  Leach  was  taken  and  committed  to  Pembroke  Prison, 
in  1779,  and  re-committed  to  Mill  Prison,  Oct.  14,  1780.t 

Joseph  Perkins,  Levi  Woodbury,|  Robert  Raymond,  Matthew 
Chambers,  and  Andrew  Peabody,  of  ship  Essex,  taken  June  10, 
1781;  committed  July  21,  1781.  James  Lovett  and  Benjamin 
Sprague,  of  same  ship,  committed  Aug.  25,  1781. 

William  Haskell,  of  the  brig  Eagle,  taken  June  21,  1780; 
committed  July  25,  1781.  Alexander  Carrico  and  George  Groce, 
of  same  brig,  committed  Feb.  6,  1782. 

John  Baker,  of  brig  Black  Princess,  taken  Oct.  11,  1781 ;  com- 
mitted Oct.  20,  1781. 

John  Tuck,  Thomas  Hadden,  Josiah  Foster,  Hezekiah  Thissell, 
Nathaniel  Woodbury  and  Zebulon  Obear,  of  Snow  Diana,  taken 
June  15, 1781,  and  committed  Jan.  23,  1782. 


F. PAGE    41. 

Letter  from  Col.  Robert  Hale  to  Gov.  Belcher. 
May  it  please  your  Excellency : 

It  is  not  a  contempt  of  the  authority  of  your  Excellency  and  his 
Majesty's  Council,  but  a  hearty  desire  to  the  interest  of  my  coun- 
try, that  inclines  me  steadily  to  pursue  the  affair  of  the  Manufac- 
tory scheme,  in  which  I  am  engaged  ;  and  as,  by  your  Excellen- 
cy's proclamation  of  the  5th  instant,  that  is  made  incompatible 
with  my  holding  a  commission  under  the  government,  I  do  now 
most  readily  and  cheerfully  resign  the  trust  of  a  Justice  of  the 

*  Run-away. 

t  Entered  a  man-of-war,  with  fifteen  others,  June  5,  1781. 

I  Died,  probably  in  prison. 

27 


314  NOTES. 

Peace,  which  I  received  by  your  Excellency's  favor,  and  always 
endeavored  to  execute  to  the  honor  of  his  Majesty  and  the  good 
of  his  subjects,  so  far  as  concerned  me. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and 
Most  dutiful  humble  serv't, 

Robert  Hale. 
To  his  Excellency  Governor  Belcher. 
Boston,  Nov.  10th,  1740. 

G. PAGE   44. 

William  Shirley,  Esq.  Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  in 
and  over  his  Majesty^ s  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  in 
JVew  England. 

[seal.]  To  Robert  Hale,  Esq.     Greeting. 

Whereas  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Province  aforesaid,  did,  by  public  resolve  or  vote,  on  the  15th  day 
of  this  month,  February,  declare  their  sense  of  the  importance 
and  necessity  of  an  expedition  for  erecting  a  strong  fortress  upon 
his  Majesty's  lands  near  the  French  fort,  at  Crown  Point,  and  did 
likewise,  in  the  same  vote,  desire  me  to  apply  to  divers  others  of 
his  Majesty's  governments,  and  to  urge  them  in  such  manner  as  I 
should  think  most  effectual  to  join  their  forces  with  the  forces  of 
this  government  in  such  an  expedition : — I  do  therefore,  reposing 
special  trust  and  confidence  in  your  known  loyalty,  integrity  and 
ability,  constitute  and  empower  you,  the  said  Robert  Hale,  in  the 
name  and  behalf  of  this  his  Majesty's  Province,  to  make  applica- 
tion to  the  government  of  New  Hampshire  to  solicit  the  said  gov- 
ernment to  a  compliance  with  the  proposals  made  by  the  Council 
and  House  of  Representatives  of  this  Province,  and  to  such  other 
measures  for  promoting  such  an  expedition  as  shall  appear  to  you 
for  his  Majesty's  service,  and  shall  be  agreeable  to  the  instructions 
you  may  receive  from  me  for  your  conduct  in  this  affair. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  the  public  seal  of  the 
Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay  aforesaid  to  be  hereunto  affixed. 
Dated  at  Boston,  the  22d  day  of  February,  1755,  in  the  28th  year 
of  his  Majesty's  reign.  W.  Shirley. 

By  his  Excellency's  command : 
J.  Willard,  Sec^ry. 


CHRONOLOGICAL   APPENDIX. 


1638.  Jan.  ^.  John  Winthrop,  jr.  had  liberty  from  his  father, 
Gov.  Winthrop,  to  set  up  salt-works  at  Rial- 
side,  and  to  have  wood  enough  for  carrying  on 
the  works,  and  pasture  for  two  cows. 

1655.  Jefirey's  Creek  is  called  Manchester. 

1667.  Nov.  6.  The  town  agreed  to  lay  out  the  ways,  from  the 
meeting-house  to  the  mill. 

Dec.  10.  The  church  held  a  fast  by  order  of  the  General 

Court,  "  for  the  trouble  of  God's  people  in  England 
and  elsewhere  abroad — for  the  tokens  of  God's 
displeasure  in  this  land,  in  the  loss  of  divers  of 
the  vessels  by  sea,  and  divers  sins  abounding ;  in 
which  day  we  made  it  one  special  part  of  the 
work  to  seek  the  Lord's  favor  to  look  upon  the 
church,  to  direct  and  prosper  the  small  begin- 
nings, and  continue  his  presence  and  mercy  with 
us." 

166H.  Mar.  26.  A  general  fast  observed,  "  appointed  by  the  coun- 
cil of  magistrates,  to'  mourn  for  profaneness,  su- 
perstition and  popery  increasing — prayers  for  the 
king  and  parliament,"  &c. 

1669.  Aug.  4.  "  Fast  by  the  congregation  because  of  immoderate 
rains,  blasting  mildew,  cold  and  storms,  to  find 
out  the  cause  and  desire  the  removal  of  God's 
frown." 

Aug.  16.  "  By  unanimous  consent  of  the  whole  congrega- 
tion, a  fast  appointed  for  great  sins  abounding 
and  breaking  forth  scandalously  in  this  country — 
deaths  of  five  ministers  in  about  half  a  year,"  &c. 

Nov.  17.  Public  thanksgiving  to  bless  the  Lord  for  stay- 
ing the  immoderate  rains  which  threatened  to  de- 
stroy the  whole  harvest  of  corn  and  fresh  hay, 
and  for  the  harvest  the  Lord  hath  given. 


316  CHRONOLOGICAL    APPENDIX. 

1670.  Apr.  7.  "  A  day  of  fasting  kept  by  the  congregation  under 
a  sense  of  God's  frowning  dispensations,  in  tak- 
ing from  this  jurisdiction  six  ministers  away  from 
his  church  by  death,  in  the  last  year,  and  permit- 
ting those  divisions  and  breaches,  which  are  al- 
ready begun  in  sundry  churches  and  feared  of 
more ;  and  continuing  the  snow  so  long  on  the 
earth,  and  the  frost  in  the  ground,  hindering  seed- 
time, and  pinching  cattle  for  want  of  food  ;  that 
the  Lord  may  reform  us  of  the  sins  we  have  pro- 
voked him  by,  and  return  unto  our  churches  in 
mercy,  and  reserve  for  us  the  appointed  weeks  of 
seed-time  and  harvest,  and  prevent  blighting  and 
mildew  this  summer,  so  far  as  may  be  for  his 
glory  and  our  good." 

June  16.  A  day  of  fasting  appointed  by  the  General  Court, 

observed,  on  account  of  prevailing  sins. 

Sept  22.  A  fast  appointed  by  the  council  of  magistrates, 

observed,  "  because  of  the  low  estate  of  the 
churches  of  God  all  over  the  world,  and  the  in- 
crease of  sin  and  evil  among  ourselves,  and  God's 
hand  following  us  for  the  same." 

Nov.  24.  A  public  thanksgiving  appointed  by  the  General 

Court,  "  for  our  peace  and  liberty  continued,  and 
the  last  year  crowned  with  God's  goodness  in 
answer  of  prayer." 

1672.  Feb.  14.  The  town  contributed  £13  towards  the  funds  of 
Harvard  College. 

Mar.  18.  Bounds  between  Beverly  and  Manchester  settled 

by  agreement. 

May  15.  The  General  Court  granted  the  town  one  barrel  of 

powder.  John  Stone,  by  vote  of  the  town,  de- 
sired to  keep  an  ordinary  or  tavern,  pne  year. 

1675.  June  29.  A  fast  held  by  order  of  the  council,  upon  the  rising 

of  Indians  about  Swansey. 

1676.  Dec.  5.  The  town  chose  two  constables,  "  by  reason  of  the 

difficulties  of  the  times  on  account  of  the  Indian 
war." 

1678.  John  Edwards  was    allowed  £3  for  killing  three 

wolves. 

1679.  Feb.  13.  Andrew  Elliot  and  Nehemiah  Grover  had  liberty 


CHRONOLOGICAL   APPENDIX.  317 

to  cut  two  loads  of  timber  on  the  town's  common, 
to  be  used  in  building  a  ketch. 

Mar.  29.  John  West  presented  a  flagon  to  the  church,  "  as  a 

token  of  his  love." 

1684.  Dec.   4.  "  John   Batchelder  and    his  wife  being  deceased, 

gave  good  hope  of  their  being  in  the  faith,  and  if 
they  had  lived  longer,  purposed  to  join  in  com- 
munion with  this  church,  but  being  prevented  by 
death,  their  children  are  subjects  of  baptism." 
In  1676,  the  children  of  John  Dixey,  deceased, 
were  baptized  on  similar  grounds. 

The  town  this  year  voted  to  purchase  land  to 
enlarge  the  conmion. 

1685.  Measures  were   adopted   for  laying  out  the  road 

from  the  second  parish  meeting-house  to  Topsfield. 

1690.  The  selectmen  afibrded  relief  to  Lawrence  Den- 

nis and  family,  who  were  sick  with  smallpox. 
The  town  borrowed  £48  10s.  "  to  buy  great  guns 
and  ammunition,"  and  to  build  a  fort  for  defence. 

1695-6.  The  road  between  the  first  parish  meeting-house 

and  Manchester  laid  out  two  rods  wide. 

1696.  Dec.  22.  The  town  allowed  Isaac  Woodberry  to  cut  timber 

for  the  masts  and  yards  of  a  vessel  he  was  then 
building. 

1697.  Money  in  the  hands  of  Deacon  Hill,  contributed 

to  redeem  some  person  from  Turkish  captivity, 
not  being  improved,  was  devoted  to  the  relief  of 
the  poor. 

1700.  May  2.  A  storm  of  rain  and  hail  commenced  which  con- 
tinued three  days.     Many  cattle  were  lost 

Sept  22.  Miss  Emma  Leach,  aged  52,  and  only  25  inches 

in  height,  visited  Salem  and  excited  much  curi- 
osity. 

1706.  Standard  weights    and  measures  provided  by  the 

town. 

1710.  The  town  paid  3s.  6d.  for  "  treating  "  the  jury  and 

attomies  who  attended  court  in  a  suit  with  Salem, 

1711.  Mihil  Sallows  and  Joseph  Gray  killed  by  Indians 

at  Winter  harbor.     Snow  fell  this  winter  eight 

feet  on  a  level. 

27* 


318 


CHRONOLOGICAL    APPENDIX. 


1712-13.  The  town  granted  a  lot  of  land  to  the  people   at 

the  Farms,  on  which  to  set  a  schoolhouse. 

1714-15.  Benjamin  Dike  killed  by  Indians  at  Cape  Sable. 

1715-16.  At  a  town  meeting  it  was  "  voted,  that  votes  sealed 

up  and  orderly  sent  into  this  meeting  by  persons 
qualified  for  voting  in  said  meeting,  that  cannot 
attend  either  by  sickness  or  being  removed  out  of 
town  about  their  lawful  business,  be  allowed  to 
pass  with  the  other  votes  of  the  same  nature." 

1722.  John  Ober  chosen  town  clerk.     He  remained  in 

office  till  1733,  and  was  again  chosen  in  1735. 

1733-4.  Bartlett-street  laid  out  to  the  sea  at  Tuck's  Point. 

1742.  A  person  chosen  constable  was  excused  from  serv- 

ing, not  being  abl«  to  write  or  read.  Voted  to 
repair  Thissle's  bridge. 

3746.  Selectmen  received  £40,  old  tenor,  for  the  relief 

of  Jane  Bartlett,  whose  husband  was  in  the  army 
at  Cape  Breton. 

1748.  The  town  voted  a  bounty  of  20s.  for  old  foxes  and 

10s.  for  young. 

1751.  Mill  Lane  laid  out. 

1753.  The  town  voted  a  bounty  of  2s.  on  every  dog's 

head  brought  to  the  town  treasurer. 

1754.  Selectmen  directed  to  take  measures  for  the  de- 

struction of  wolves.  Assessors  chosen  this  year 
distinct  from  the  selectmen. 

1755.  The  town  having  grown  more  sympathetic  towards 

the  canine  tribe,  a  bounty  of  5s.  "  to  encourage 
the    keeping   of  dogs,"  was  severally  paid  to 
eighty-eight  persons,  amounting  to  £22  lawful 
money. 
1757.  The  selectmen  licensed  a  slaug-hter-house  belong- 

ing to  Benjamin  Raymond.  The  town  hired  part 
of  a  house  for  the  use  of  two  families  of  French 
neutrals. 

1765.  Widow  Priscilla    Trask    appointed  pound-keeper. 

1766.  The    selectmen  were   authorized  to    purchase    a 

gravel-pit  of  John  Dodge. 

1767.  A  powder-house  built   on  the  south  side  of    the 

common. 
1769.  Feb.  11.  Harbor  frozen  over  down  to  Baker's  Island. 


CHRONOLOGICAL    APPENDIX.  319 

1775.  Capt.  Hugh   Hill  took  and  brought  into  Beverly, 

schooner  Industry,  Capt  Francis  Butler.  The 
cargo  was  sold  in  conformity  to  existing  rules, 
and  the  vessel  delivered  to  the  order  of  General 
Washington  for  the  public  service.  Robert  Has- 
kell, a  native  of  this  town,  obtained  permission  of 
the  General  Court  to  return  to  Yarmouth,  N.  S., 
where  he  resided.  The  General  Court  ordered 
two  half-barrels  powder  to  be  delivered  to  Josiah 
Batchelder,  jr.  to  replace  so  much  loaned  the 
province  by  the  town.  The  selectmen  of  Water- 
town  delivered  2i  barrels  to  Col.  Henry  Herrick 
for  the  use  of  the  town.  The  town  paid  for  47 
gallons  of  rum  used  in  building  the  breastwork 
at  Woodberry's  head. 
About  the  last  of  November,  this  year,  Capt.  Man- 
ly, in  the  Lee  privateer,  captured  and  brought  into 
Cape  Ann  harbor  the  British  brig  Nancy,  bound 
from  London  to  Boston,  laden  with  warlike  stores, 
among  which  were  2000  muskets,  2  six-pounder 
cannon,  3000  twelve-pound  shot,  20,000  one- 
pound  do.,  and  a  13-inch  brass  mortar.  The  cargo 
was  conveyed  to  Cambridge  for  the  use  of  the 
army,  to  which  it  proved  a  valuable  and  timely 
acquisition.  The  mortar  was  named  the  Congress, 
and  was  "  pronounced  to  be  the  noblest  piece  of 
ordnance  ever  landed  in  America." 

1777.  The  town  voted  to  give  £14  to  each  non-commis- 

sioned officer  and  private  who  would  enlist  in 
the  continental  army  for  three  years,  or  during  the 
war  ;  and  £4  additional  to  such  as  had  been  in  the 
army  and  would  re-enlist  Provision  was  made 
for  barracks  to  accommodate  the  seacoast  men 
stationed  at  Woodberry's  point  £300  were  voted 
to  supply  the  families  of  the  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates  belonging  to  this  town,  en- 
listed in  the  continental  army.  The  next  year 
£200  were  appropriated  to  the  same  purpose. 

April  1.  The    General  Court  refused   the  petition    of   the 

committee  of  inspection  for  leave  to  sell  the  cof- 
fee that  had  a  long  time  been  stored  according  to 


320  CHRONOLOGICAL    APPENDIX. 

the  rule  adopted  in  such  cases.  Thomas  Wood- 
berry  and  others  petitioned  the  General  Court  and 
obtained  liberty  to  send  the  schooner  Swallow  to 
the  West  Indies  with  lumber  and  fish  to  exchange 
for  molasses,  cotton  and  salt,  which  were  much 
wanted  in  town. 

1778.  Price  of  labor  on  the  highways  fixed  at  18s.  pr  day. 

1770.  This  year  forty  men  from  this  town  were  lost  at 

sea,  for  which  reason  the  town  petitioned  the 
General  Court  to  be  released  from  its  obligation 
to  furnish  the  quota  required  for  the  army.  A 
sum  not  exceeding  £12000  was  voted  for  procur- 
ing men  for  the  army.  In  succeeding  years, 
sums  varying  from  £5000  to  £50,000,  were  pro- 
vided for  the  same  purpose.  Labor  on  the  high- 
ways fixed  at  30s.  per  day. 

1780.  The    selectmen    were   directed  to    purcheise    five 

horses  for  the  public  service.  To  encourage 
enlistment,  the  town  offered  a  bounty  of  100  lbs. 
sugar,  100  lbs.  coffee,  10  bushels  corn,  100  lbs. 
beef  and  50  lbs.  cotton,  or  £1370  in  money  ;  but 
this  not  proving  a  sufficient  inducement,  Q7  lbs. 
of  coffee  were  afterwards  added,  and  the  bounty 
in  money  increased  to  £1611  4s.  Price  of  labor 
on  the  highways  fixed  at  £12  per  day.  Salt  sold 
for  £50  per  bushel. 

1781.  Sept.  15.  The  selectmen  petitioned  the  General   Court    to 

decide  whether  Beverly  or  Rowley  should  have 
the  service  of  William  Campbell,  a  soldier,  who 
after  being  hired  by  Beverly,  let  himself  to  Row- 
ley. The  constables  were  directed  to  receive 
one  silver  dollar  instead  of  $75  of  the  old  conti- 
nental paper,  and  $\  of  the  new  emission  instead 
of  $40  of  the  old. 

1783.  French  troops  passed  the  night  in  the  second  par- 

ish, on  their  way  to  Portsmouth  to  embark  for 
France. 

1784.  Price  of  labor  on  the  highways  fixed  at  5s.  per  day. 

A  building  on  Woodberry's  Point  belonging  to 
the  town,  given  to  Wm.  Woodberry  in  full  con- 
sideration for  the  use  of  his  land,  &c. 


CHRONOLOGICAL    APPENDIX.  321 

1785.  Four  shillings  and  half  a  pint  of  rum  allowed  by 

the  town  for  a  day's  labor  on  the  highways. 

1786.  Two  collectors  of  taxes   chosen.     Previously    to 

this,  the  taxes  had  been  collected  by  constables. 

1787.  Bonfires  prohibited  under  penalty  of  10s.     Select- 

men fixed  the  price  of  bread  at  3  cents  and  7 
mills  per  lb.  First  firewards  chosen,  viz :  Joseph 
Lee,  Moses  Brown,  Joseph  Wood,  Andrew  and 
George  Cabot. 

1790.  Town  divided  into  six  school  districts.     Engine- 

men  were  excused  from  serving  in  town  ofiices. 
Snow  fell  this  year,  Nov.  27,  and  laid  till  April 
15th  following. 

1792,  Capt  Gideon  Rea  returned  from  a  fishing  voyage 

in  the  Bay  of  St  Lawrence  after  five  months 
absence,  with  122,222  fish,  making  about  1200 
quintals.  Mrs.  Judith,  "  the  amiable  and  virtu- 
ous consort  of  the  late  Col.  Ebenezer  Francis, 
died  very  much  lamented,"  aged  43. 

1794.  The   selectmen  were  authorized  to  sell    the    old 

schoolhouse  in  Bass  river  district.  Elias  Smith, 
jr.  died  in  the  West  Indies,  "  suffering  under  Brit- 
ish spoliations."  Israel  Dodge  fell  dead  while 
driving  a  team,  aged  21. 

1795.  Jan.  20.  William  Bartlett,  A.  B.  died,  aged  30.    Capt  Rob- 

ert H.  Ives  died  at  Lisbon. 

1798.  The  second  parish  granted  a  part  of  the  parsonage 

for  a  gravel-pit. 

1799.  The  second  parish  granted  the  Bass  river  school 

district  a  site  for  a  schoolhouse. 
1801.  Dodge's  Row  school  district  formed.    Hon.  Israel 

Thorndike  presented  the  second  parish  $100. 
1802L  The  town,  for  the  first  time,  voted  to  assess    the 

highway  tax  in  connexion  with  the  town  tax  for 

general  purposes.     Farms  school  district  divided. 
1803.  Washington  street  laid  out. 

1806.  Widening  of  the  Chebacco  road  through  Dodge's 

Row  begun, 

1807.  The  present  mode  of  warning  town  meetings  by 

posting  notices  at  each  of  the  meeting-houses, 
adopted. 


322  CHRONOLOGICAL    APPENDIX. 

1808.  New  powder-house  built.     April  16th,   the  snow 

three  or  four  feet  deep  in  many  places. 

1809.  Apr.  17.  An  infant  tied  up  in  a  pillow-case  found  in  the 

river  near  the  bridge. 
1811.  The  road  from  Grove's  hollow  through  Rial-side 

to  Frost  fish  brook,  laid  out. 
18 J  2.  Henry  Fornis,  his  mother  and  sister,  died  at  the 

hospital  of  small  pox. 

1816.  Juno  Larcom,  "a  half  Indian  and  half  negro  wo- 

man," died,  aged  92. 

July  19.  John  Joseph,  a  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Abbot,  drowned, 

aged  4  years  and  5  months. 

1817.  Feb.  14  and  15.  Thermometer  at  18  deg.  below  zero. 
1823.  Town  voted  a  bounty  of  12^  cents  per  head  for  all 

crows  killed. 
Aug.  4.  Deborah  Larrico  killed  by  lightning. 

1828.  The  road  leading  from  the  main  street  by  Pyam 

Lovett's  house,  accepted  by  the  town. 

1829.  Jan.  12.  Mrs.  Dr.  Fisher  died,  aged  71. 

1834.  Dec.  10.  Robert  Thorndike,  a  native  of  Beverly,  died  at 

Camden,  Me.,  aged  100  years  and  5  months. 

1835.  Jan.    4.  Thermometer  before  sunrise  18  deg.  below  zero- 

Jan.  31.  Thermometer  before  sunrise  58  deg.  above  zero — 

sharp  lightning  and  much  rain. 

1836.  Jan.  19.  Jonathan  Smith  died  aged  68.    He  was  appointed 

Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1807,  and  was  for  many 
years  surveyor  of  the  customs  and  post-master. 

1837.  July   6.  Barn  of    Elliot  Woodberry   burnt,  supposed    by 

lightning. 

Aug,  15.  John  Huddle  killed  by  the    explosion  of  a    rock 

while  in  the  act  of  charging. 

1838.  Dec.  9,  Wm.  Leach,  grandson  of  John  Leach,  died 

aged  80. 

Mar.  16.  Hannah  Hill  died. 

1841.  Aug.20.  Hale  Hilton  died,  aged  81.   He  was  a  fifer  in  Capt. 

Low's  company. 

1842.  Apr.  25.  Joseph  Woodberry,  a  descendant  of  the   earliest 

settlers  of  that  name,  dropped  down  dead  in  his 
yard,  aged  75. 

Aug.      Samuel  Cole,  a  revolutionary  pensioner,  died  aged 

90  years. 


INDEX. 

Topography, 

-  Page  1—12 

Settlement,    - 

. 

13 

Roger  Con  ant,     - 

- 

16—21 

John,  Josiah  and  William 

Woodberry, 

-    21—23 

John  Balch, 

- 

-     23 

Richard  Brackenbary, 

- 

24 

Gapt.  Thomas  Lolhrop,  - 

- 

25—28 

Lawrence  Leach, 

- 

29 

Mason's  Claim,   - 

- 

29-31 

John  Lovett, 

. 

31 

Canada  Expedition,  1690, 

- 

-     32 

Imprisonment  of  Hill, 

- 

33 

Andrew  Elliot,    - 

- 

34—36 

Robert  Briscoe, 

- 

36 

Col.  Robert  Hale, 

- 

38—56 

Revolutionary  Period, 

- 

-    54—88 

Col.  Henry  Herrick, 

- 

-     55,  65,  88 

Battle  of  Lexington, 

- 

-     61—63 

Attack  on  Beverly, 

. 

64—66 

Capts.  Giles,  Smith,  Hill,  ; 

Lovett  and  Tittle, 

-    70—73 

Col.  Ebenezer  Francis,    - 

... 

73—79 

Col.  John  Francis,     - 

- 

79 

Ebenezer  Rea,    - 

- 

80—82 

Female  Riot, 

- 

-    83—85 

First  Cotton  Factory, 

. 

-       '     -     85 

Dark  Day,     - 

- 

86 

Washington's  Birth-day, 

- 

-     90 

Neutrality,  1793,       - 

- 

90 

Settlement  of  Ohio, 

... 

-     91 

Alert  taken  at  Santander, 

- 

93 

Small  Pox, 

- 

-     93 

Fourth  July,  1807,    - 

- 

95 

Joseph  Wood, 

- 

-     96 

Embargo,  1808, 

- 

97 

Josiah  Batchelder,  Jr.      . 

-            -             - 

-     97 

William  Burley, 

-    .         - 

100 

La  Fayette's  Visit, 

- 

-    101 

324 


INDEX. 


Fourth  July,  1835,    - 

Public  Buildings  and  Essex  Bridge, 

Schools  and  Academy, 

College  Graduates,  ... 

Libraries,  Reading  Room  and  Lyceum, 

MERCHANTS. 


Page  102—104 

-       105—110 

110—119 

-   119 

120—123 


George,  Andrew  and  John  Cabot,  Moses  Brown,  Israel 
Thorndike,  Joseph  Lee,  John  and  Thos.  Stephens. 

THE  BAR. 


123—134 


Nathan  Dane  and  William  Thorndike, 

,   - 

-       135-154 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Physicians  from  1677  to  1842, 

. 

155—168 

Military, 

. 

-       168—178 

Temperance, 

- 

178—181 

Charitable  and  other  Associations, 

. 

-       181—186 

Fire  Department, 

. 

186 

Streets,    -            .            -            . 

. 

.    187 

Burial  Grounds, 

. 

188—191 

Common  Lands, 

- 

-    191 

Representatives, 

- 

192 

Slocks,     .... 

- 

-   193 

Diseases,  Deaths,  Marriages, 

. 

195—197 

Population,  &c.  - 

- 

-   197 

Agriculture,               -            -        '     - 

,. 

198 

Valuation,  Manufactures,  Commerce, 

&c. 

-      200—203 

ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY. 

The  Fifst  Parish,  including   Notices  of  witchcraft,  of 

Messrs.  Hale,  Blowers,  Willard,  McKean,  Abbot,  &c.  -           204 
Second  Parish,  including  Notices  of  Messrs.  Chipman, 

Hitchcock,  Dow,  &cc.        .            .            .            .  .          256 

Baptist  Church,   -            -            .            -            -            -  -   286 

Dane  Street  Church,              -----  289 

Farms  Church,    -            -            -            -            -            -  -   295 

Fourth  Congregational  Church,         -            -            .  -          296 

"Washington  Street  Church,          -            -            -            -  -297 

Sabbath  Schools,       -----  -          299 

Conclusion.,  .......   303 

Notes  and  Appendix,            -            -            -            -  -          310 


INDEX  OF  NAMES 
for 

HISTORY  OF  BEVERLY 

by 

Edwin  M.  Stone 

1842 


Published  by 
THE  BEVERLY  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

Compiled  by 
DAVID  C.  AND  EMMA  S.  LASH 

1958 


Author  Stone's  familiarity  with  the  community  and  its  history, 
evidently  caused  him  to  often  omit  the  first  name  of  certain  individuals, 
and  refer  to  them  simply  as  Mr.  or  Rev.  or  Col.  etc.  In  this  index  names 
are  listed  as  shown  in  the  text,  with  few  exceptions.  R  is  suggested  that 
this  treatment  of  the  subject  be  recognized  by  those  using  the  index, 
that  they  proceed  accordingly. 


ABBOTT,  Abiel,  118,  130,  238, 
242,  244,  246,  284 

Ann  W..  119 

Benjamin,  150 

Eunice,  244 

John  Joseph,  322 

Joseph,  288,  295,  296,  298 

Rev.,  95,  116,  135, 

166,  180,  283,  284,  287, 
300,  322 

William,  120 
ADAMS,  ,  125,  157 

Daniel,  188 

Rev.,  283 

AL.DEN,  Rev.,  282 

ALDKICH,  Jonathan,  288 
ALLEN,  Mary,  189 

Samuel,  30 

Thomas,  31 

William,  29 
AMES,  Fisher,  125,  160,  164 
ANDERSON,  Alice,  237 

Rufus,  237 
ANDROS.  Sir  Edmund,  33,  35 


APPLETON,  Edward,  119 

Mr.,  226 

...      Mrs.,  136,  196 

Nathaniel,  229 

Samuel,  29 

ATKINSON, Col.,  47 

AVERY,      _ 8 

BABSON,  Isaac,  33 
BABCOCK,  William,  176 
BACON,  Daniel,  215 

Samuel,  215 
BAILEY,  Henry,  220,  221 

Rev.,  291 
BAKER,  Hannah,  208 

John,  313 

John  I.,  193 

Joseph,  174 

Osman,  174 

Robert,  174 

Stephens,  121 
BALCH,  Abigail,  ^ 

B<?n.1amin,  23,  24,  274,  226 

Caleb.  24 


Corcelius,  24 

David,  24 

Elizabeth,  23,  24 

Freeborn,  23,  24,  272 

Hannah,  24 

Israel,  24 

John,  14,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24 
27.  193,  226 

Joseph,  23,  24 

Joshua,  24 

Martha,  24 

Mary,  23,  24,  274 

Miriam,  23 

Mr.,  273 

Peter,  24 

Phebe,  24 

Rebecca,  274 

Roger,  24 

Samuel,  23,  24,  193,  256 

Sarah,  24 

Tabatha,  24 

Thomas,  24,  120 

William,  24,  28,  120,  272,  274 
BANCROFT,  George,  IV 
-  Rev.,  245 

BANVARD, ,  288 

BARNARD,  ,  226 

Rev.,  238,  269,  281,  311 

Thomas,  236 
BARRETT,  Thomas,  221 
BARTLETT,  Benjamin,  120 

Christopher,  176 

Jane,  318 

Rev.,  245,  284 

Scipio,  177 

William,  56,  66,  67,  68,  311,  321 
BASKETT,  Thomas,  245 
BATCHELDER  (Batcheller), 

Asa,  177 

Capt.,  275,  276 

David,  283 

Hannah,  62 

John,  317 

Jonathan,  193,  297 

Josiah,  56,  57,  58,  63,  70,  97, 
98,  120,  155,  175,  193,  267, 
274,  319 

Mehitable,  273 

Mrs.,  280 

Nathan,  176 

Nathaniel,  94 
BAVIDGE,  35 
BAYLEY,  Henry,  29 
BEAN,  Samuel,  175 
BEECHER,  Andrew,  224 
_...     Gov.,  40,  41,  313,  314 

Partridge,  41 
BELE.  John,  23,  105 
BENNETT,  Cotton,  172,  193 
BENTLEY,    13,  235 

William,  13 
BERNARD,  Francis,  51 
BERRY.  John,  176 


BICKFORD,  Benjamin,  178 

John,  178 
BIEES  (Bile),  John,  176 

Jonathan,  29 
BISHOP,  Edward,  208 
BEACK,  Freegrace,  208 

John,  208 

BLANCHARD, Rev.,  298 

BEASHflELD,  Thomas,  39 
BEOOMSGROVE  FAMILY,  281 
BLOWERS,  Andrew,  224 

Elizabeth,  223,  224,  230,  274 

Emma,  24 

John,  224 

Pyam,  112,  120,  223,  224 

Rev.,  188,  224,  226,  256 

Sampson  Salter,  224 

Thomas,  37,  40,  222,  223,  224, 
225,  259 

BLUNT, Mr.,  104 

BO  LEAN, Mr.,  108 

BONNER,  William,  28 
BOOTH,  Elizabeth,  215 
BOW  DO  IN,  James,  88,  89 
BOWLES,  William,  176 
BOYDEN,  Wyatt  C,  155 
BRACKENBURY,  Ellen,  208 

Richard,  24,  30,  208,  246,  251 
BRADSTREET,  Edward,  118,  155 
BRAINARD,  David,  204 
BRAMAN,  Isaac,  284 
BRAMIN,  Milton  P.,  228 

BRECK, _..Rev.,  281 

BRIGGS,   ._ 133 

Isaac,  284 
BRISCOE,  Abigail,  37 

Elizabeth,  37 

Robert,  36,  135,  193,  251 
BROWN,  Abigail,  6 

Abraham,  129 

Barth,  175 

Benjamin,  175 

Capt.,  95 

Charles,  120 

Christopher,  28 

George,  10,  106 

John,  259 

Mary,  6 

Moses,  90,  91,  123,  129,  131, 
176,  185.  193,  321 

Samuel,  6 

William,  6,  7 
BURLEY,  William  4,  7,  91,  100,  17T 
BURNHAM,  James,  171,  193 
BURNETT,  Bishop,  7 

Gov.,  6 

Mary.  6 
BURROUGHS,  George,  214,  216 
BURT,  John,  174 
BUSHNELL,  William,  298 
BUTLER,  Francis,  319 
BUTMAN,  Daniel,  174 

Martha,  24 


Nathaniel,  175 
Thomas,  175 
Zebulon,  175 
BYLES,  Henry,  211 
Israel,  175 
Jonathan,  175 
Rebecca,  211 

CABOT,  Andrew,  56,  105,  106,  109, 
123,  128,  321 

George,  68,  70,  89,  109,  123,  124, 
125,  126,  127,  128,  133,  164,  321 

John.  106,  109,  123,  129,  193 

Stephen,  83 
CAMPBELL,  William,  320 
CARLETON,  Daniel,  176 
CARBICO,  Alexander,  177,  313 
CARRILL,  Benjamin,  174 
CHAMBERS,  Mathew,  313 
CHAMPNEY,  Elizabeth,  230,  274 

Israel,  230 

Joseph,  226,  227,  230,  274 

Rev.,  188,  228,  229, 

230,  247 

Richard,  230 

Sarah,  230 

Thankful,  230 

Thomas,  230 
CHAPMAN,  Abner,  193 

B.  L.   (Miss),  172 

Isaac,  57 
CHEEVER,  Ellen,  28 

Ezekiel,  28 

Mr.,  222,  223 

CHIPMAN,  Abigail,  271 

Benjamin,  271,  313 

Biley,  271 

Elizabeth.  271.  274 

Hannah,  267,  271 

Henry.  271 

John.  120,  2r)8.  259,  262,  267, 
268,  269,  270,  271,  272, 
273,  274.  281.  297 

Joseph.  189,  271,  273 

Mary,  271 

Mr.,  80,  189,  195,  223, 

226,  272 

Rebecca,  271,  274 

Richard.  Manning,  271 

Robert,  271 

Robert  Hale,  271 

Samuel.  271 

Sarah.  189,  271 

Ward.  271 
CHOATE,  Frederick,  120 
CHUTE,  Samuel,  176 
CLARK,  Augustus  N.,  106 

Benjamin,  175 

Edmund.  175 

Elizabeth,  39,  212 

John,  29,  39,  174,  175,  176,  209 
Mr..  222.  238 
CLAXTON,  Mathias,  177 


CLEAVELAND,  John,  2S1 
CLEAVES,  Benjamin,  175,  253 

Joshua,  56 

Nathaniel,  63,  177 
CLINTON,      _  .     ,  277 
COBBETT,  Thomas,  208 
COLE,  Samuel,  175,  322 
COLEMAN,  Thomas,  249 

COLLINGWOOD, Capt., 

COLLINS,  Samuel,  174 
CONANT,  Agnes,  18 

Caleb.  21 

Daniel,  193 

Ebenezer,  21 

Elizabeth.  20,  21 

Exercise  20,  21,  179,  192,  208 

John  18.  20,  57,  193,  256,  267 

Jonathan,  57,  88,  109,  177,  193, 
257,  275 

Josiah.  21 

Joshua,  20 

Lot,  20,  28,  208 

Martha.  20 

Mary,  20.  23,  262 

Mr.,  276 

Rebecca,  20 

Richard.  18 

Roger,  14,  15,  16,  18,  19,  20, 
21.  23.  24,  205,  208,  210, 
251,  262 

Samuel.  20 

Sarah.  20,  209 

William,  20 
COOK,  Samuel,  20 

William,  176 
COOPER.  Dr.,  229 

CORNING-,  Benjamin,  177 

Elizabeth,  208 

Jonathan,  175 

Joseph.  248 

Samuel.  6,  208,  210,  212,  246 
CORWIN.  Mr.,  215 

CORY.  Giles.  214 
COTTON.  John,  112 
COX.  Ebenezer,  175 

Edward,  176 

Thomas.  176 
CRESSY,  (Creesy,  Cresey) 

Amos,  176 

Job,  175 

John,  176,  259,  261 

Jonathan.  273 

Jo  sen  h.  265,  266,  268 

Josiah,  175 

Samuel,  176,  177 

Sarah.  261 

William,  176,  177 
CROSS.  Daniel,  193 

Joseph. 176 
CROWELL.  Aaron,  175 

Robert.  298 
CROWTHER,  William,  176 
CURREY.  Robert,  187,  286 


CURWAN,  George,  259 

CUTLER, Dr.,  75,  92 

.Rev.,  281,  284,  311 

DANA,  ..       ...Rev.,  281,  284,  291, 

294   295 
DANE,' Joseph,  120 

....  Mr.,  88,  89 

Nathan,  109,  121,  135,  136,  138, 
139,  143,  146,  149,  150,  193, 
307 

Polly,  150 
DARBY,  John,  176 
DAVIS,  Thomas,  109,  121,  193 
de  BEVERLY,  John,  18 
DENNING,  Hannah,  24 
DENNIS,  Lawrence,  317 
DERBY,  Richard,  7 
D'ESTANG,  COUNT,  280 
DIKE,  Benjamin,  175,  176,  318, 

Nathaniel,  120 

William,  176 
DIMAN,  James,  228,  229,  269 
DIXEY,  Anna,  208 

Capt.,  29 

Ensign,  24 

John,  317 

William.  14.  15,  30,  107, 
169.  208,  251 
DODGE,  Andrew,  193,  257 

Caleb.  56,  61,  257 

Charles,  109 

Daniel,  112 

Edward,  259,  261 

Eleanour.  189.  273 

Elisha,  259,  261 

Eliza,  262 

Elizabeth,  208,  262 

Ezra,  193 

George.  109 

Israel,  321 

Jacob,  297 

Jerusha,  262 

John,  28,  29,  169,  179,  189, 
192,  193,  208,  259,  262, 
273.  318 

Jonah,  262 

Jonathan,  175,  257,  259,  261,  262 

Joseph,  259 

Joshua,  268 

Josiah.  27 

Mary,  208,  261 

Mehitable,  273 

Moses,  175 

Richard,  208 

Samuel,  177 

Sarah,  262 

Simeon,  177 

William.  15.  29,  57,  63.  169,  176, 
179,  192,  208.  210,  226 
DOLE,  Geo.  T.,  298 
DOW,  Moses,  238,  282,  283 
DOWN,  Michael,  313 


DOWNAN,  John,  245 
DUDLEY,  Elizabeth,  37 
Gov.,  223 

Mary,  111 

Samuel,  111 
DWIGHT, Rev.,  235 

EATON,  Nancy,  291 

Peter,  284 

EBELING,      Prof.,  132 

EBORN,  William,  174 
EDWARDS,  Benjamin  Franklin, 
120 

John,  316 

Rev.,  295 

Robert.  177 
ELLINGWOOD,  Benjamin,  178 

Eliezer.  174 

E^ra,  297 

John,  29,  174 

Joshua.  176 

Ralph.  14,  29,  208 

William,  230 
ELLIOT,  Andrew,  11,  34,  35,  36, 
175,  176,  193,  212,  229,  316 

.    -.       Dr.,  229 

Francis,  176 

Grace,  35 

Jo«!eph,  176 

Robert,  175 
ELLWELL,  Israel,  176 
EMERSON,  Ama,  290 

Brown,  295,  297,  298 

Daniel,  290 

Eleanor.  292 

John,  95,  180,  213 

Joseph,  290,  291,  292,  293,  2©4 

Nancy,  291,  292 

Ralph,  294.  295 

Rebecca,  292 

Rev.,  295,  298 

EMMONS, Dr.,  291 

ENDICOTT.   Gov.,  99 

John,  24.  30 

Mary.  99 

Robert,  99 

Sarah, 156 
ENGLISH,  Phillip,  35,  297 
EUSTON,  Lord,  41 
EVERETT.  Ebenezer  (Mrs.),  800 

Edward,  27,  102,  103 

FAIRFIELD,  Elizabeth,  23 

Rev.,  189 
FARLEY.  Eunice,  159 

FAULKNER Dr.,  94 

FELT,  Joseph  B.,  IV 
FERGUSON,  Capt.,  78,  79 

FERRYMAN,  William,  28 
FISHER.  Dr..  165,  182 

Mrs.  Dr.,  322 
Joshua,  121,  155,  160,  161, 
162,  185,  311 


PISKE  (Fisk),  John,  109 

Mr.,  226,  227 

FLANDERS,  Charles  W.,  288 

FLINT, Rev.,  244,  245 

FLUANT,  Mary,  262 

Moses,  259,  262 
FOOTE,   238 

- -.  Rev.,  301 

John.  296,  297,  298 
FORBB8,  . ._    Rev.,  269,  281 
FORNIS,  Henry,  322 
FOSTER,  Benjamin,  176 

(family),  28 

Jonathan,  176 

Joseph,  176 

Josiah,  313 

Samuel,  176 
FRANCIS,  Ebenezer,  73,  75,  76, 
77,  78,  79,  177,  321 

John,  79,  170 

Judith,  74,  77,  321 

Thomas,  177 

FRANKLYN, JMr.,  41 

FRENCH,  Jonathan,  239 

Marv,  6 

Philip,  6 

Rev.,  281,  283 
FRIEND,  Elizabeth,  267 

Nathaniel,  178 

William,  1^,  267 

FBISBY Rev.,  281,  283 

FROST,   Capt.,  174 

John,  261 
FULLER,  Andrew,  174 

John,  29 

Rev.,  238 

GAGE,  Jonathan,  176 

William,  176 
GARDNER,  Joseph,  28 

GEANEY, Maj.,  215 

GERRISH,  Joseph  211,  222,  259 

Mr.,  223 
GERRY,  Elbridge,  86 
GILBERT,  _ ...      _.  Rev.,  296 
GILES Capt,  159 

Edmund,  57 

Eleazer,  70,  175 

James,  175 
OILMAN,  Elizabeth,  39 

John,  39,  47,  156 
Rev.,  243 
GLOVER,   ...     .    Col.,  67,  129 
GLOYD,  Daniel.  174 
GOLDTHWAIT,  James,  176 
GOODRIDGE.  Robert,  177 

Samuel,  56,  57,  59,  60,  177,  248 

William.  177 
GOODWIN,  Nathaniel,  193 
GOULD,  Josiah,  171,  185,  248 
GRAFTON,  Bethiah,  28 

Duke  of,  41 

Joseph,  28,  287 


GRAY,  Joseph,  317 

William,  202 
GREEN  (Greene) 

Israel,  176 

John,  188 

Joseph,  226 

Primas,  177 
GREENLEAF,  Benjamin,  88 

Moses,  75 

Prof.,  75 

GRIGGS,  Eleanor,  261 

Jacob,  259,  261 
GROSE  (Groce) 

George,  177,  313 

Obediah,  105 
GROVER,  John,  175 

Jonathan,  177 

Nehemiah,  212,  316 
GROVES,  William,  176 
GUPPY,  Reuben,  254 

HADDEN,  Thomas,  313 
HADLEY.  Ebenezer,  176 
HALE.  Anna,  311 

Col..  39,  40,  41,  42,  4S, 

44,  46,  50,  51.  52,  251 

Elizabeth,  39,  52,  212 

Esop,  176 

Henry,  120,  156,  311 

James,  112,  120,  212 

Joanna.  212 

John.  155,  188,  207,  206,  211, 
212 

Mrs.,  216,  246 

Nathan,  212 

Rebecca,  39,  156,  188,  208,  211, 
271 

...Rev.,  29,  188,  205,  206, 

209,  210,  211,  212.  213,  215, 
217,  218,  219,  220,  221,  222 

Richard,  212 

Robert,  38,  39,  40.  42,  48,  49,  112, 
120.  155,  156,  193,  211,  227, 
229,  253.  266,  311,  313,  314 

Samuel,  212 

Sarah,  212 

Sophia,  212 

Sumner,  296 
HALL,  John,  211 

Joseph,  176 

HAMILTON, Gen.,  124,  125 

HAMMOND,  John,  9 
HANCOCK,  John,  86,  88,  89 
HARDIE J)r.,  156 

Mary,  111 

Robert.  Ill 

Samuel,  111,  155 
HARRIMAN,  William,  176 
HARRIS,  Jonathan,  175,  176 

Samuel.  29,  175 

T.  M.,  238 


HASKELL,  Elizabeth,  208 

James,  106 

Robert,  253,  319 

William,  313 
HASSELTINE,  Rebecca,  292 
HATHORNE,  John,  168 

Mr.,  215 
HAVEN,  Samuel,  F.,  IV 
HAWTHORN.  Capt.,  25 

HAYWARD.  Bethiah,  261 

Elizabeth,  261,  273 

Nathaniel.  179,  257,  261 

Nehemiah.  261 
HEARD,  John.  94 
HEATH.  Gen.,  277 

HERRICK,  Andrew,  175,  177 

Benjamin,  157 

Ede,  20S 

Elizabeth,  88 

George,  175 

Henry,  55.  56,  57,  58,  65.  75, 
88.  120.  171.  193.  208,  228, 
248,  253.  266,  319 

Israel,  174 

Jacob.  120 

Joanna.  88 

John.  155.  156 

Jospnh    88,  120,  189,  193.  256, 
257,  259 

Joshua.  253 

Lucy,  157 

Lydia.  208 

Mary,  88,  208 
Mrs.,  267 

Nancy,  88 

Pyam,  88 

Ruth,  88 

William,  175,  176 
HERVEY,  Benjamin,  175 
HEWS.  Betsev,  215 
HIBBERT,  Robert,  179 
HIGGINSON, 8,  216 

Henry,  82 

John,  208,  219 
HILL  34 

Abigail,  208 

Cant.,  71,  72,  159 

David,  175 

Deacon,  317 

Hannah,  300,  322 

Hugh,  70,  72,  319 

John.  174,  179,  208,  212 
HILLIARD,  Timothy,  235 
HILTON,  Amos,  175 

Hale,  322 
HITCHCOCK,  Achsah,  274 

Enos,  78,  268,  275,  276,  279,  280 

Gad,  269 

_.  Mr.,  260,  270,  274,  281 

Rev.,  75 

HIX,  Abraham,  175 
HOAR.  Dorcus,  215 

William,  220,  221 


HOBART  (Hubbard) 

Jeremiah.  204 

Joshua,  204 

Peter,  204 
HOLT,  Mary,  99 

Nathan.  99,  229,  236 
Rev.,  281 
HOLYOKE.  E.  A.,  158,  311 
HOOPER.  Robert,  266 
HOPKINS,  R€V.,  281,  291 

HOWARD,  Benjamin,  176 
Mr.,  229 

Timothv,  175 
HOWE  (How) 

Abner,  155,  166,  167 

John,  311 
HUBBARD  (Hobart) 

Jeremiah,  204 

John,  175 

Josiah,  204 
.    Mr..  290 

Peter.  204 

Robert.  254 
HUDDLE,  John,  322 
HURLEY.  James,  177 
HUSSBAND.  Richard,  29 

HUTCHINSON, Lieut. 

Gov.,  56 

Thomas.  41 

INGERSOLL,  Samuel,  288 
IVES,  Benjamin,  42,  52,  175 
Elizabeth,  52 

Moses,  52 

Robert,  Hale,  52,  321 

Thomas  Paynton,  52 

JAMES,  Benjamin,  97 

William.  175 
JENKS,  Henry,  287 

William,  337 
JENNINGS,  John,  288 
JOHNSON,  William,  46 
JONES.  Benjamin,  56,  57,  155, 
156.  157 

Claton,  177 

Ginser.  156 

Nathan,  177 

Sarah,  156 
JORDAN.  Achsah,  274 

KELLOG, Rev.,  291 

KELLY, 41 

KENNADY,  John,  177 
KENNISON,  Ruben,  62 
KILTON.  Rev.,  295 

KIMBALL,  Benjamin  P.,  297 
William.  176 

KIRKLAND,    Pres.,  127 

KIRWIN.  Richard,  311 
KITTEREDGE,  Ingalls.  120,  105 
KNIGHT.   Benjamin,  295,  296 
KNOWLTON, 23 


I/A  FAYETTE, Gen.,  100, 

102 
LAKEMAN,  Nathan,  155,  157 

LAMBERT, 14 

I.AMSON,  Francis,  287 

William,  193 
LANDERS,  John,  215 
LARCOM,  Asa,  176 

David,  189,  193 

Henry,  193 

Jonathan,  175 

Juno,  322 
LARRICO,  Deborah,  322 
LEACH,  Asa,  57,  109 

Clement,  29 

Elizabeth,  29 

Emma,  317 

Ginger,  156 

John,  29,  56,  57,  82,  177,  193, 
259,  322 

Joseph,  313 

Lawrence,  29 

Nathan,  56 

Richard,  29 

Robert,  29 

Sarah,  208 

William.  176,  185,  322 
EECHMERE,  Col.,  129 

LEE,  Jeremiah,  60 

Joseph.  109,  123,  132,  133, 
134,  321 

Nathaniel,  120 
LEFAVOUR,  Isaacher,  120 
LEVERETT.  Mr.,  223 

LINCOLN,  Benjamin,  86 

Dr.,  160 

Gen.,  160 

LOCK  WOOD,  Rev.,  235 

LONGDELL,  William,  57 
LORD,  William,  254 
LORING.  .    Rev.,  245,  284 

LOTHROP.  Bethiah.  27,  208 

_ Capt.,  210,  250 

Ellen,  28 

.__.. _  Lieut.,  24 

Mrs.,  246 

_ ...Rev.,  245 

Thomas,  15,  25,  26,  27,  168, 
192,  208 
LOVETT,  Abigail,  31 

Benjamin,  32,  56,  60,  70 

Bethiah,  31,  32 

..  _ Col.,  95 

James,  313 

Jeremiah,  187 

John,  31,  32,  57,  109 

Jonathan  H.,  171 

Joseph,  31,  32,  120 

Josiah,  104.  193 

Mary,  31,  32,  208 

Pyam,  185,  193,  822 

Robert,  176 

Samuel,  32 


Samuel  P.,  172,  187 

Simon,  32 

Susanna,  32 

Thomas,  32,  178 
LOW,  ...    ...Capt.,  177,  322 

John,  102 

LOWELL, F3V.,  245 

LUFF,  Bridget,  208 
LUl^nviTJS,  Samuel,  297 
LUNT,  George,  310 
LYFORD, JL9 

MACOMBER,  Francis  G.,  287 

MANLY, Capt.,  319 

MANN, Hev.,  298 

MANNING, Dr.,  39 

MARCH, Rev.,  295 

MASON,  John,  29,  30,  31 

John  Tafton,  31 
MATHER, 13,  20 

Cotton,  217 

Increase,  27 
MATTHEWS,  Robert,  174 

MC  EWIN, Rev.,  298 

MC  KEAN.  Alice,  237 

James,  120 

Jane,  237 

John.  120,  237 

Joseph.  91,  121,  195,  235,  236, 
237.  281,  283 

Margaret,  237 

Marv,  237 

Nancy.  237 
MEACOM,  Ebenezer,  88 

John.  287 
MELLEN,  Rev.,  235 

MESSER.  Ebenezer,  176 

MILLARD,  Rev.,  295 

MILLER,  Rev.,  244 

MINGO,  Robin.  37,  38 
MONEYS.  William,  174 
MOODY,  Sophia,  212 
MOORE,  Rev.,  238 

MORLY,  Mary,  215 

Peter,  215 

Sarah. 215 
MORGAN,  John,  175 

Jonathan,  176 

Joseph.  29 

Moses.  28 

Rob-rt.  208.  253 

William.  175 

Zachariah.  178 

MORRILL Rev.,  281 

MORSE,  Thomas,  176 
MOTLEY,      ..  .    Capt.,  27 

MOTEE, Rev.,  235 

MOULTON,  Charles,  297 
MOYLAN,  Stephen,  67 

NELSON, 80 

NEW  MARCH,  Sarah,  24 
NEWMAN,  Antipas,  208 


NOURSB,  Stephen,  172,  193 
NOYES,  Nicholas,  221,  222 
Sarah,  212 

OB£AR,  Oliver,  193 

Zebulon,  313 
OBER,  Abigail,  23 

Anna,  311 

Benjamin,  120,  311 

Ezra,  177 

Francis,  176 

James,  176 

John,  318 

Joseph,  176 

Nathaniel,  176 

Rev.,  295 

Richard,  80,  175,  176,  179 
ODIN,  John,  37 
OLIPHANT,  D.,  120 

Rev.,  284,  294,  295,  297 

OLIVER,  Daniel,  120,  259,  261, 
281,  282 

Henry  K.,  120 

Jacob,  93 

Nathaniel  K.,  120 

Thomas,  129 
ORNE, Dr.  J.,  311 

Joseph,  56,  155,  158 
OSBORNE,  John,  48 

PACKARD,  Hezekiah,  235 
PAGE,  Caleb,  176 

Capt.,  177 

PALFREY,  Peter,  19,  20 
PARKER,  Thomas,  176 
PARLOR,  Thomas,  174 

PARRIS, Rev.,  213 

PARSONS,  Obediah,  281 
PATCH,  Elizabeth,  208 

James,  208 

Nicholas,  208 

Richard,  209 

PATTERSON, Gen.,  280 

PAULSGRAVE,  Anna,  23 
PAYSON,  Phillips,  235 
PEABODY,  Andrew  P.,  120,  313 

Charles  A.,  118 

Mary  R.,  118 

Stephen,  283 
PEARLY,  John,  112 
PEART,  Bartholomew,  174 
PEELE,  Robert,  41 

PEMBERTON,  ..._ Dr.,  238 

PEPPERELL,  William,  42,  43 

PERCY,  Lord,  62 

PERKINS,  David,  112 

Joseph,  313 
PERLEY,  Humphrey  Clark,  284 
PETERS,  Hugh,  9 
PHIPPS,  Sir.  William,  32 
PICKENS,  Thankful,  230 
PICKERING,  John,  60 


PICKET,  Elias,  29,  175 

John,  175,  177,  193,  286 

Robert,  175 

PICKMAN, Col.,  43 

PICKWORTH,  John,  174 
PIERCE,  Benjamin,  287 

Henry,  176 

^Rev.,  296 

PLUCK, Col.,  173 

POLAND,  Jacob,  175,  176 

Joseph,  177 
POOR,  Ebenezer,  284 
PORTER,  Benjamin,  176 

Billy,  177 

Lemuel,  288 

Nehemiah,  274 

Rebecca,  274 

.     Rev.,  294 

POUSLAND,  Edward,  286 
PRESCOTT,  Benjamin,  259 

William,  109 
PRESSON,  Benjamin,  175 

John,  176 

William,  175 
PRINCE,  Joanna,  300 

John,  14 

Rev.  J.,  311 

PROCTOR,  Edward  T.,  80 
PUDNEY,  John,  215 
PULLING,  Edward,  109 
PUTNAM, Dr.,  156 

Jeremiah,  80 

Rufus,  266 

QUINCY,  Josiah,  130,  132 

RAIKES.  Robert,  299 
RAIMENT  (RAyment,  Raymond) 

John,  246 

RANDALL, ......Rev.,  95 

RANTOUL. Capt.,  95 

Robert,  IV,  101,  103,  106,  109, 
120,  171,  193,  300 
RAWSON,  Grindal,  213 
RAYMENT  (Raiment,  Raymond) 
Capt.,  33 

Daniel,  33 

Edward,  25,  257 

Jonathan,  193.  257,  259,  262 

Lieut.,  261 

Mary,  33,  281 

Paul,  33 

Sarah,  262 

Thomas,  29,  257 

William,  29,  32,  33,  112,  169,  192 
RAYMOND  (Raiment.  Rayment) 

Abner,  177 

Benjamin,  318 

Capt.  George,  94 

Ebenezer,  267 

Josiah,  187 

Joseph,  175,  177 

Nathaniel,  94 


Rebecca,  94 

Robert,  313 
BEA,  Bethiah,  27 

Ebenezer,  80,  81 

Gideon,  80,  321 

Isaac,  80,  120,  193 

John,  257 

Joseph,  56,  61,  80,  109 

Joshua,  27,  176 
R£AD  (Reed) 

Christopher,  28 

Eleanor,  292 
R£ED  (Bead) 

Joseph,  261  (negro) 
BEVERE,  Paul,  251 
BIPLEY,  Ezra,  238 

BOBINS, Rev.,  281 

BOBINSON,  Ebenezer,  284,  285 

Rev.,  295 
BOGEBS,  Ebenezer,  176 

John,  112,  268 

Robert,  23 
BOOTS,  Joseph,  210 

Josiah,  179,  208 

Susanna,  215 
BOUNDY,  Azor,  174 

John,  175 

Luke,  177 

Nehemiah,  193,  286 

BUSH,      Dr.,  166 

BUSSEEL, Dr.,  159 

BUST,  Henry,  112 

SAFFOBD,  John,  106,  193 
SAXLOWS,  Abigail,  209 

Hannah,  208,  209 

John,  209 

Mihil,  317 
SAETONSTAEL,  Leverett,  104 

ST.  CLAIB,  Gen.,  76 

SANDEBSON,  P.P.,  288,  296 

SEDGWICK, Maj.,  26 

SESSIONS, „_.  Rev.,  298 

SEWALL, Hev.,  284 

SHAW,  Benjamin,  177 

Bethiah,  32 

Joseph,  120 

Peter,  32,  92,  297 
SHEAFE,  Mary,  234 
SHEEDEN  (Sheldon) 

i^mos,  193 

JessQ,  10,  193 

Susanna,  215 
SHIBLEY,  William,  33,  41,  42,  44, 

45,  46,  49,  50,  314 
SHUBTEIFF,  William,  112 
SIEWEBS,  Joseph  Henry,  119 
SIKES,  Susanna,  32 
SIMONDS,  John,  174 
SMITH,  Adam,  124 

Bartholomew,  176 

Benjamin,  57,  67,  175 

Capt.,  71 


Elias,  70,  32 

Elizabeth,  273 

John,  175 

Jonathan,  322 

Isaac,  178 

Mr.,  269 

Prof.,  166 

Rev.,  281 

Richard,  27 

Samuel,  273,  286 

Thomas  B.,  193 

Worthington,  298 
SPABHAWK,  John,  227 
SPENCE,  George,  174 
SPEBBY,  Rev.  E.  P.,  284,  296 
SPOFFOBD,  Isaac,  155,  157 

Ruth,  157 
SPBAGUE,  Benjamin,  313 
SPBIGGS,  Benjamin,  178 

SPBING,    Rev.,  291 

STACY,  John,  215 
STANDEEY,  Andrew,  287 

George,  31,  32 

Herbert,  176 

Nicholas,  175 

Richard,  175 

Robert,  175 

Wells,  175,  221 
STEPHENS,  Daniel,  176 

John,  91,  123,  1*4,  135,  151, 
193,  248 

Nancy,  151 

Thomas.  57,  64,  109,  120,  123, 
135,  193 
STEVENS,  Charles,  172 
STICKNEY,  Samuel,  171,  172,  175 
STOKES,  Peter,  174 
STONE,  Abner,  176 

Edward,  193 

Edwin  M.,  193,  285 

John,  107.  176,  208,  316 

Micah,  282 

Rebecca,  274 

Remember,  209 
Rev.,  300 

Robert,  176 

Samuel,  176 

STOBY,    Justice,  139,  149 

Rev.,  235,  281,  282 

SULLIVAN,  .., (3en.,  277 

SWAIN.  Elisa,  274 

Joseph.  235,  274,  281 

John,  176 

.- -Mr.,  269 

SWAYNE,  Bennett,  Jr.,  156 
SYMONDS,  Samuel,  211 

TAGGABT,  Richmond,  288 
TAILOB,  Deborah,  37 
TAPLEY,  John,  175 
TAYLOB,  Bartholomew,  175 

Rev.,  298 

William,  57 


THAYER,  C.T.,  IV,  135,  235, 

245,  285 
Nathaniel,  36 

Rev.,  36,  235,  245,  284, 

300 
THISSELL,,  Hezekiah,  313 
THOMPSON,   ...     .    Col.,  100 
THORNDIKE,  Albert,  185 
Augustus,  120 
Freeborn,  176 
George,  120 

Isaac,  57  ^^„ 

Israel,  89,  91,  95,  105,  109,  123, 

129,  130,  132,  185,  193,  321 
John,  108,  193,  226 
.Jonathan,  175 
Larkin,  56,  88,  89,  90,  120, 
155,  157,  193,  248 

....Mr.,  210 

Nancy,  151 

Nicholas,  38,  56,  150,  171,  193 
Paul,  15.  92,  169,  192 
Robert,  322 
Ruth,  157 

William.  120,  135,  150,  172,  193 
THURSTON,  Rev.,  284,  294 

TITTLE,  John,  72,  73 
TORREY,  Augustus,  155 

Joseph,  155 
TRASK  (Traske) 
Benjamin,  176 
Elizabeth,  189 
Ezra,  175 
George,  120 
Israel,  177,  200 
James,  176 
James  D.,  120 
John.  28,  174.  189,  257 
Priscilla,  318 
William,  20 
THRILLMORE,  Abigail,  262 
TROW,  Josiah,  174 
TRYON.  Ignipotent,  277 
TUCK.  John,  313 
Ralph.  175 
Robert,  172 
Samuel,  175 
TUCKER,  Barnard,  155,  158 
TUCKEY,  Job,  215 
TUPPER.  Beniamin,  79,  177 

Col.,  177 
TWIST,  Joshua,  177 

WADE. Col.,  79,  89,  159 

WADSWORTH,  Rev,  281,  284 

WALCOT,  Mary,  215 
WALDO,  41 

WALES,  Ebenezer,  244 

Eunice,  244 
WALKER,    Rev.,  284 

Sir  H.,  44 
WALLIS,  Caleb,  176 


John,  175,  176 
Joshua,  221 

WARREN, Commodore,  42 

Eliza,  274 
Elizabeth,  274 
Hannah,  271 
James,  86 
John,  274 
Mary,  215 
Sir  Peter,  43 
WASHINGTON,  George,  66,  80,  85, 
89.  101,  102,  124,  235,  245, 
277,  319 

WAYLAND, ..Rev.,  288 

WEBBER,  Elisha,  176 
John  T.,  287 
William,  297 

WEBSTER, Mr.,  138 

Rev.,  283 
WELD,  Mary  T.,  119 
WENTWORTH,  Benning,  45,  46, 

47.  48,  49 
WEST.  .........  36 

John,  15,  192,  246,  317 
Thomas,  112,  169,  192,  212 
Thomas  Barnard,  119 
Wilks,  175 

WETMORE, Judge,  136 

WHIPPLE,  John,  29 
WHITE,  Joseph,  9,  109 

Rev.,  235 
WHITEFIELD,  George,  228 
WHITNEY,  Dorothy,  159 
Elisha,  155,  159 
Elizabeth,  159 
Eunice,  159 
Israel,  159 
Lucy,  159 
Lucy  Ann,  159 
Michael,  159,  187 
Susan.  159,  172 
WHITTREDGE,  Livermore,  56 
Thomas.  25  ,,      „^ 

WIGGLESWORTH, Mr.,  272 

WILLARD,  Augustus,  234 
J.,  314 

Rev.  J.,  311 
Joseph.  68,  70,  229,  235 

Mary,  234  ^ 

.Jtfr.,  87,  195,  231,  232» 
233,  234,  235 
_  ...    Pres.,  291 
Samuel,  234 
Sophia,  234 
Sidney.  234 

Vice  President.  234 
WILLIAMS.  Elisha,  287 
Joseph,  175 
Mary.  119 

Nathaniel  West,  287,  288 
William,  298 
WINGATE,  Mary,  274 
Pain,  273 


WINTHROP,  Gov.,  315 

John,  Jr.,  315 
WISE,  John,  213 
WITHINGTON,  Leonard,  295 

WOLFE 23 

WOOD,  Benjamin  B.,  177 

Israel,  174,  226 

Joseph.  56,  60,  68,  70,  89,  90, 
96.  193,  248,  321 

Judith.  74 

Nehomiah.  259,  262 

Susanna,  262 
WOODBERRY  (Woodbury) 

Alice,  262 

Abigail.  23 

Anna,  208,  230 

Andrew,  174,  175,  176,  215 

Azariah,  67 

Barebeel,  175 

Benjamin,  22,  177,  297 

Cornelius,  176 

Curtis,  14 

Ebenezer,  28 

Elizabeth.  23,  208 

Elliot,  322 

Emma,  224 

Ezra,  221 

Fanny,  292 

Francis,  106,  297 

George  Washington,  22 

Hannah.  22,  208,  257,  267 

Hugh,  206 

Humphrey,  21,  25,  30,  179,  208, 
209,  210,  220,  246 

Isaac.  193,  317 

Israel,  155,  156,  176,  177 

James,  22,  23,  36,  175,  196, 
248,  253 


Jeremiah,  177 

John,'  14,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24 

Jonathan.  178 

Joseph,  322 

Josiah.  22,  172,  175,  176,  221, 
259,  262 

Israel,  176 

Levi,  22.  313 

Lucy,  157 

Luke.  176 

Lydia,  262 

Mary.  22,  208,  258,  262 

Mihill,  176 

Nathaniel,  175,  177,  313 

Nicholas,  23 

Patience,  262 

P.P.,  22 

Peter,  21,  22.  27,  193,  212 

Precilla,  230 

Robert,  36,  193,  226,  230,  256 

Samuel.  63,  156,  175 

Sarah,  209.  261 

Thomas,  37,  320 

William.  14,  23,  24,  25,  177, 
208,  320 
WOODEN,  Peter,  25 
WOOLFE.  Martha,  208 

Peter,  208 
WORCESTER,  Samuel,  289,  291, 
294,  298 

William,  211 
WORTHY,  Charles,  281 
WRIGHT,  Luther,  283 
WYER,  Timothy,  171 

YOUNG,  Joshua,  287 


SUBJECT  INDEX 

for 

HISTORY  OF  BEVERLY 

hy 

Edwin  M.  Stone 

1842 


Compiled  by 

Beverly  C.  Carlman,  Recorder,  Beverly  Historical  Commission 

for  Beverly  Historical  Society,  June  1973 


Abbot  Street,  188 

Academy-,  110.  115,  119 

agriculture,  200 

Albany,  177 

ALERT  schooner,  92 

Ale  wife  Brook,  4 

ALFRED  brig,  71 

almshouse,  105,  107 

American  Academy  of  Science,  150 

American  Academy  of  Arts  and 

Science,  235,  237 
American  Antiquarian  Society,  139 
Amherst  College,  120 
Ancient  highway,  10 
Andover,  136,  236,  238,  239,  281, 

283,  284 
Andover  Theological  Seminary,  295 
Antrim,  N.H.,  22 
armed  vessels,  66,  91 
armed  ship,  130 
Armenian  cider,  272 
Armenian  controversy,  231 
Armenian  tenets,  272 
artillery,  volunteer  company,  171 
Ashford,  Conn.,  212 
Atkinson,  N.H..  282,  283 
aurora  borealis,  87 

Bakers'  corner,  85 

Bakers'  Island,  318 

Baker  Tavern,  5 

Bald  Hi'l.  6,  191 

Baltic,  133 

Bank,  5,  32,  105,  106 

Baptist  Seaman's  Friend  Society,  183 

Baptist  Society,  282 

Barbadoes,  159 


barber,  202 

Barnstable,  Mass.,  271 

Bartlett  Street,  6,  83,  105,  187,  318 

Bartlett  Swamp,  14 

Ba<*8  River,  4,  9,  11,  13,  14,  19,  20,  21, 

23,  fort  erected  near  28,  mill  at  head 

of  86,  208 
Bass  River  Side,  15,  25.  107,  204,  206 
Bass  River  District,  115,  321 
Bath,  Maine,  150,  151 
Bayonne,  93 
Beaver  Pond,  4 
bed-key,  187 
bell,  25,  37,  104,  105,  220,  221,  244,  249, 

250,  257,  258,  266,  285,  287,  289,  290, 

297 
Bell's  building,  10 
Bell's  Hall,  105 
Beverly  Academy,  118 
Beverly  Anti-slavery  Society,  184 
Beverly  Bank,  164,  184 
Beverly  Baptist  Temperance 

Society,  180 
Beverly  Charitable  Society,  165,  181 
Beverly  Conunons,  191 
Beverly,  England,  18 
Beverly  Farms,  61,  180,  188,  189,  196, 

318,  321 
Beverly  Farms  church,  295 
Beverly  Female  Charitable 

Society,  182 
Beverly  Harbor,  4,  picture  of  203 
Beverly  Light  Infantry,  104 
Beverly  Marine  Insurance 

Company,  185 
Beverly  Mechanic  Association,  184 
Beverly  Temperance  Society,  180 


Biddeford,  Maine,  234 

Bigelow,  3 

Birch-plain  Road,  85 

blacks,  187,  6 

BLACK  PRINCESS  brig,  313 

blacksmith  shop,  202 

block  tin  nuwiufacturers,  202 

Bloody  Brook,  23,  310 

Boston,  1.  2,  3,  28,  36,  39,  40,  45,  48,  56, 
57,  58,  59,  60,  61,  62,  74,  78,  81.  82,  89, 
93,  109,  122,  125,  131,  133,  134,  161, 
202,  211,  223,  229,  239,  251,  281,  293, 
314,  319 

Boston  Brass  band,  172 

Boston  Tea  Party,  54 

Boston  Turnpike,  129 

Bowdoin  College,  120,  236 

Boxford,  284 

Bradford,  23,  24,  272,  274,  292 

Brattle  Street  Society   (Boston),  239 

breastworks,  64,  66 

brick  factory,  4,  187 

bricks,  2 

brick  yard,  202 

Bridgewater,  Somersetshire,  Eng.,  23 

Brimble  Hill,  5,  6 

Briscoe  HaU,  37,  105 

Briscoe  Street,  188 

Britania,  200 

British  Navy,  40 

Brookfield,  26,  269 

Browne  Hall,  6,  picture  of  7 

Browne  Hill,  6 

Brown  &  Ives,  52 

Brown  Street,  188 

Brown  University,  52,  288 

Brunswick,  N.J.,  6 

Brunswick,  Maine,  236,  300 

Budleigh,  17,  18 

Bunker's  Meadow  (Topsfleld),  222 

Bunker  Hill,  82 

Burgoyne,  177 

Burley  Court,  188 

Burley  Street,  188 

Burnt  Hill,  191 

burying  ground,  old  23,  first  157, 
188,  205.  270 

burial  ground,  246,  288 

Byfield,  293 

cabinet-making.  102,  202 

cabinetware,  200 

Cabot  Street,  6,  32,  105,  106,  107,  187 

Calvary,  169 

Cambridge,  63,  70,  119,  129,  158,  222, 

224.  228.  229,  2^6.  241,  291,  319 
Camden  Maine,  322 
Canada,  28,  32 

Canada  Expedition,  44,  155,  212,  213 
cannon.  64,  66.  95 
Cape  Ann.  1.  10.  19,  20,  21.  30,  319 
Cape  Ann  Side,  13,  30,  107 
Cape  Breton  Expedition,  94,  318 


Cape  Cod,  1 

Cape  Sables,  35,  318 

CARAVAN  brig,  133 

carding  machines,  85,  202 

carpenters'  shops,  202 

ca,tholics,  201 

Cedar  Swamp,  191 

Central  Street,  106,  187 

Chai-ity  Street,  188 

Charles  River  bridge,  109 

Charlestown,  62,  109,  211,  240,  24S, 

287.  293 
Charnock  Street,  188 
Chebacco,  281 
Chebacco  Road,  321 
Cherry  Hill,  9 
China,  131 

cholera,  Asiatic,  102 
Christian  Hill,  6 
Chubbs'  Creek,  1 
Church  Street,  188 
CICERO,  72 
cisterns,  187 
clock,  249 

Col.  Hales'  garden,  44 

Collins  Cove,  19 

Colon  Street,  38.  188 

colored  persons,  248 

Conunittee  of  Correspondence  and 
Safety,  56,  57,  59,  64,  66,  80,  82,  96 

Committee  of  Inspection  <1675),  179 

Common,  The,  2,  65.  87,  188,  288,  317 

Conant  Street,  188.  256 

Conant  Street  bridge.  4,  6,  10 

Concord.  61,  62.  68.  238 

CONGRESS  frigate,  157 

"Congress"  mortar,  319 

Congress  Street,  187 

Connecticutt,  42.  49 

Connecticutt  River,  26 

Continental  Army,  67,  70,  72 

Continental  Congress,  67,  74 

coopers'  shop,  202 

coopers'  tools,  31 

cotton  cloth  manufacturing,  4 

cotton  mill,  85 

cotton  factory,  161 

Cove,  171 

Cove  disiirict,  73 

Coventry,  41 

Coventry,  Conn.,  212 

Cox  Street,  188 

Crown  Poin*.  44,  174,  314 

Cuba,  243,  243 

Cue  Hill,  6 

cup,  silver,  37,  226.  267 

cupola,  105.  249.  285,  297 

Dane  L«,w  Library  of  Ohio,  139 
Dane  Professorship  of  L<aw,  149 
Dane  Street,  188 
Dane  Street  meeting  house,  103,  187 

church,  289 


Danver»,  1,  13,  79,  80,  99,  110,  156,  170, 
177,  222.  229,  236,  269,  281,  282,  284, 
286,  298,  neck  10,  110 

Danvers  and  Beverly  Iron  Works 
Co.,  110 

Danvers   Plains,   8,   10 

"dark  day",  86 

Dartmouth  College,  120,  166,  236,  288 

Davis  Street,  187 

deaths,  195 

Dedham,  160,  165 

Deerfield,  26,  27 

DEFIANCE  ship,  128 

Devonshire,  17 

DIAMOND  frigrate,  81 

DIANA  snow,  313 

"dirty  hole",  32 

distill  house,  83 

Dodge's  Row,  94,  188,  321 

Dodge  Street,  188 

Dorchester  Company,  19,  21,  30 

Dorchester,  238,  244 

Dorchester  Heights,  74 

Dunkirk  of  America,  42 

EAGLE  brig,  313 

earthquake,  38 

East  Coker,  35 

Eastern  Railroad.  104,  202 

Eastern  Rangers,  174 

East  Farms  School  house  (brook 

near).  4 
East  Greenwich,  R.I.,  80 
East  India  Company,  54,  59 
East  Indies,  131 

Ellingwood's  Point,  4,  10,  14,  101 
Ellingwood  Street,  188 
Elliott  Street.  188 
Elm  Street,  188 
embargo,  96.  97,  99.  139,  201 
Endicott  Street,  188 
English  ships  of  war,  161 
Enon,  9 

Es«ex,  133,  296.  298 
ESSEX  ship,  313 
Essex  bridge,  10.  11,  101.  104,  107,  110, 

129,  133.  picture  of  203 
Essex  Historical  Society,  139 
Essex  Street,  188 
Europe,  3.  123.  201 
Exeter  College,  18 
Exeter.  N.H.,  37.  39,  46,  111,  150, 
156.  239 

Fairfield.  Conn.,  277 
Falmouth,  Maine,  271 
Federal  Street.  188 
felspar,  2 

Female  Seaman's  Friend  Society,  182 
ferry.  23.  107.  109.  landing  108 
ferry  way.  14,  102 
fire,  dwelling  of  Rev.  Blowers  1782 
p  226.  Dane  St.  church  1832,  p  289 


fire  department,  186 

fire-hooks,  186,  187 

First  Baptist  Church,  286 

First  church,  25,  121 

First  Parish,  4,  132,  152,  165,  171,  186, 

188,  195,  202,  203,  229,  245,  259 
First  Parish  meeting  house,  1,  246,  317 

Sunday  school,  153 
Fisher  Charitable  Society,  181,  202 
Fisher  Professorship  of  Natural 

History,  164 
Flower  of  Essex,  26,  310 
foot  company.  168,  169,  170 
foot  stove.  250 
fort.  13.  28.  64,  219,  317 
Fort  Naragansett,  28 
Fort  Edwards.  175 
Fort  Pickering.  14 
Fort  St.  Mary's.  174 
Fort  William  Henry,  175 
Fosters'  wharf,  187 
Fourth  Congregutional  church,  296 
Fox's  Point,  14 
Framingham,  291 
France,  72.  157,  161,  320 
Franoistown.  N.H.,  22,  23 
Franklin.  291 
Franklin  Street,  187 
French  neutrals.  318 
French  prison,  34 
French  Revolution,  201 
French  troops.  320 
French  wars,  33 
Front  Street,  187 
Front  Fish  brook.  322 

brick  factory  at  1,  10 

Gallows's  Bridge.  306 

garrison  house.  14 

Georgia.  97,  240 

Gettisham,  18 

Ghent.  99 

Gilmanton.  311 

Gloucester,  136,  170,  238,  281,  288 

Glovers'  Regiment.  129 

grammar  school.  38,  105,  113,  156 

granite,  for  cellar  and  sea  walls 

and  fences,  2 
Grand  Banks,  201 
grave  monuments,  225,  229 
gravel  pit,  321 
Great  Pond,  20 
Camp,  Greenwich,  276 
Grenadiers,  171 
grist  mill.  4,  202 
Groton,  159 
Groves'  Hollow,  322 

haberdasher.  111 
Hadley,  26.  27 
hair  manufacturer,  202 
Hale  Street.  188,  189 
Halifax,  71 


Halifax,  N.S.,  224 

Hamilton,  8,  75,  94,  102,  157,  281,  284 

Hamilton  Bank  (Boston),  152 

hardware  stores,  202 

Hartford,  125;  convention,  137 

Harts'  bridge,  4 

hatter,  202 

Harvard  College,  39,  75,  112,  119,  120, 

129,  141,   150,  155,  157,  159,  160,  204, 

211,  212,  214,  223,  224,  229,  234,  270, 

271,  272,  274,  290,  311,  316 
Harvard   University,   6,   130,   132,   136, 

139,  149,  158,   164,   224,  233,  238,  245 
Havana,  81 
Haverhill,  99,  239 
HDBALD  sloop  of  war,  157 
HINCHINBROKE,  81 
Hingham,  160 
HoUis,  N.H.,  90 

Home  Seamans'  Friend  Society,  183 
Honiton,  18 

Horse  Brook,  15;  bridge  256 
hospital,  92,  94,  322 
Hospital  Point  (Salem),  66 
house  of  correction  (Salem),  34 
Howard  Street,  188 
Hubbardton,  N.Y.,  76,  78,  79 
Hudson,  N.Y.,  287 

ice  business,  9 

impressment,  40 

"India  crackers",  172 

Indiana  Historical  Society,  139 

Indian  war,  316 

INDUSTRY  schooner,  319 

infantry,  170,  171,  172 

innholders,  179,  180 

inoculation,  93,  94 

Ipswich,  8,  30,  39,  60,  83;  road  85,  88, 

89,  98,  100,  315,  136,  159,  160,  170,  207, 

208,  211,  272,  274,  281,  283 
Ipswich   River,  4,  9 
Ireland,  71,  72,  236 
iron  ore,  5 
Iron  Spring  Mine,  5 

Jaffrey,  N.H.,  166 
Jeffries'  Creek,  24,  315 
JERSEY  prison  sliip.  82 

kine-pox,  94 

King  Phillips  War,  26 

Knowlion  Street,  188 

LAfayette  Street,  188 
lambskin  cloaks,  83 
Lancaster,  36,  245 
lianoaster,  Eng.,  6 
LAnd  Bank.  40,  41,  51 
Latantia,  Miss.,  22 
lawyers'  office,  202 
I/echmere  Point,  129 


LEE  privateer,  319 

Leicester,  292 

Leominster,  Mass.,  268 

letter  of  marque,  72,  161 

Lexington,  62,  80,  238 

Liberty  corner,  7 

Liberty  Street,  6,  10,  188 

Lisbon,  321 

London,  1,  30,  31,  41,  43,  71,  94,  111, 

156,  245,  251,  319 
Londonderry  N.H.,  2S6,  237 
Long  Island,  100 
Lothrop  Street,  188 
Louisburg,  42,  43,  44,  175 
Lovett  Street,  187 
Lowell,  298 
LUCIA  ship,  71 
lyceum,  123 
Lyman,  Me.,  102 
Lynn,  80,  170,  210,  230,  281 

Mackerel  Cove,  14,  15,  24,  fort  erected 

near  28,  191 
magic  lantern,  39 
Maine,  3,  87 
Main  Sireet,  83,  105 
Manchester,  1.  13,  99,  170,  229,  269,  284, 

295,  298,  315,  316,  317 
Marblehead,  8,  13,  20,  21,  60,  97,  161, 

170,  222,  266,  284,  295,  311 
marriages,  197 
Martineco,  97 
masonic,  157,  184,  293 
Massachusetts  Agricultural 

Society,  139 
Massachusetts  Bay,  8;  Company,  SO 
Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  134; 

Association,  223 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  75, 

139 
Massachusetts  Medical  Conununlca- 

tions,  159;  Society  164 
Massachusetts  Regiment,  the  11th,  75 
Massachusetts  Temperance 

Society,  139 
May  Street,  188 
Mechanics'  Association,  121 
Medford,  Mass.,  73,  79 
Meeting  house,  25;  fort  erected  near 

28,  64,  65;  school  in  1656,  p  111 ;  first 

205,  picture  of  247,  248,  254,  258,  269, 

281 

Farms,  296 

First  Parish,  105,  285,  295 

Fourth  ron^regational,  297 

South,  32,  95 

Washington  Street,  297,  315 
merchants,  123 
Merrimack  River,  29,  31 
Methuen.  99 

Michigan  Historical  Society,  139 
Middleton,  13,  269,  281,  283 


militia,  61.  eS,  69,  70,  79,  80,  160, 

171,  173,  277 
MIU  Lane,  318 
milUners,  202 
Mill  Prison,  Eng.,  313 
Mill  Street,  188 
Mingoe3'  Beach,  38,  99 
minute  men,  63 
Mississippi,  201 
MOHAWK,  71 
mohawks,  49 
Monmou'h,  177.  276 
Morant  Keys,  81 
Moses  Creek,  77 
Mount  Independence,  76 
Mount  Vernon,  N.H.  (formerly 

Amherst,  22,  23 
mourning  rings  and  gloves,  270 
Muddy  Brook,  26 
murder,  109 
mustard,  200 
mustard  factory,  202 

NANCY  British  brig,  319 
Nantasket,  19;  Roads  40 
Narragansett,  27 

National  Insurance  Company,  152 
Naugus  Head,  14 
Naumkeag  River,  4,  29.  31 
Naumkeag  territory,  13,  168 
NAUTILUS  British  ship  of 

M'ar,  64,  66 
navy  agent,  66 
Navy  Department,  125 
negro  boy  Cato  and 

slave  Robin  Mingo,  37 
negroes,  197,  261.  322 
New  Bedford,  234 
New  Brunswick,  271 
Newbury,  158,  212,  238,  295 
Newburyport,  1,  5,  10,  71,  75,  04, 

98,  295 
New  England  Christian  Academy,  110 
New  Hampshire,  30,  31,  42,  44,  45, 

48,  50,  87 
New  Haven,  277 
New  Ipswich,  N.H.,  290 
New  Jersey,  41,  80,  129 
Newton,  287 
New  York,  44,  45.  47,  49,  82,  104,  120, 

183,  243,  276.  280,  288,  295 
non-intercourse  act,  96 
Norfolk,  Va.,  157 
Northbridge,  292 
North  Point  (Salem),  107 
North  River,  19 
North  Yarmouth,  238 
Norwalk.  277 


31 


Ober 

Street, 

188 

Ohio, 

138 

"Ohio 

fever" 

92 

Old    Planters 

'   meadow 

opium,   162 

Ordinance  of    '87,   138,    146 

OTHELLO,  243 

painters  and  glaziers,  202 

Pauls'  Head,  2,  10,  66,  92 

Paul  Revere  and  Son,  251 

peat,  3 

PELICAN  frigate,  80,  81 

Pembroke,  269 

Penobscot,  129,  280 

Peters'  Pulpit,  9 

Philadelphia,  166.  173.  280 

Phillips  Academy,  150,  236,  238,  230 

physicians,  155 

PILGRIM,  71 

Piscataqua  men,  48 

Plaistow.  N.H.,  283 

Plymouth,  19.  28.  240.  245,  281 

population.  197 

Porters'  River,  4 

port  of  entry,  34 

Port  Royal,  25,  81,  97 

Portsmouth,  45,  46,  48,  234,  320 

post  master,  322 

post  office,  202 

pottery,  2 

pound  keeper,  318 

powder,  67,  247.  319 

powder  house,  318,  322 

powder  room,  247 

Precinct  of  Salem  and  Beverly, 

256,  258 
Privateering,  70.  71 
Privateers,  150,  161,  311 
privateer  schooner,  64 
Proclamation  of  Neutrality,  90 
Prospect  Hill,  6 
Providence  Bank,  52 
Providence,  R.I.,  52,  75,  230,  280 
Province  tax,  312 
public  house,  202 
pump  and  block  maker,  202 

Quebec,  23,  32 
quarries,  2 

RAMBLER  brig,  318 
Rangers'  Regiment,  23 
Reading,  20 
reading  rooms,  123 
RESOURCE,  80 

Revolutionary  pensioners,  108,  322 
Revolutionary  period,  54 
Rhode  Island,  28,  42,  40,  68,  171 
Rial  Side,  10,  15,  29,  188,  256,  266, 

315.  322 
Rockport,  2,  170 
ropewalk,  202 
Round  Pond,  5 
Rowley,  157.  160.  284,  205,  320 
Roxbury,  282 
Rubly  Hill,  191 


Sabbath  schools,  299 
8aco,  174 

Safford  and  Stones'  wharf,  108 
Sagraniore  of  Agawam,  168 
sailmakers,  202 

Salem,  1,  6.  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  13,  15,  19,  20, 
21,  23.  24,  29.  30.  34.  38;  first  church, 
40.   60.  66,  70,  104,  110,  123,  128,   129, 
132,  136,  158,  160,  161,  169,  170,  202, 
203,  207,  208,  210,  219,  222,  223,  227, 
236,  238,  244,   254,  256,  259,  269,  281, 
288,  289,  295,  317 
Salem  jSeck    107 
Salem  Antheneum,  311 
Salem  Harbor,  14 
Salem  Philosophical  Library,  311 
Salem  Turnpike,  1 
Salem  Villagre,  8,  29,  213,  214,  222,  226, 

256,  302 
Salisbury,  208,  211 
Sallows'  bridgre,  306 
sand,  black  2,  coarse  2 
Santajider,  93 
Saratogra,  177 
Sarum,  En^Tand,  156,  211 
Sau^us,  293 
saw  mill,  4,  202 
Scarboroug-h,  229 
scarlet  fever,  196 
school  district  library,  121 
school  house,  grrammar  district,  37, 
111 

school  houses.  115,  318;  Bass  River 

sold  1794,  p  321 
school,  English,  112 
school  master.  111 
School  Street,  188 

Seamans'  Friend  Society,  183 

Second  Parish  meeting:  house,  10, 
75,  188 

Second  Parish  (or  North  Parish),  24, 
171,  180,  186,  187,  189,  195,  198,  202, 
223,  229,  256,  272,  273.  317 

Shays'  Rebellion.  79,  80,  159 

shoe  stores,  202 

Skeensborough.  76 

slaves,  38 

slaugrht^T  houses,  202,  318 

slavery,  184.  185 

small  pox,  93,  94,  317,  322 

Snake  Hill,  5,  6,  191.  192,  222 

soap  and  candles,  200 

Social  library,  120,  121 

solar  microscope,  39 

Somersetshire,  Eng:.,  21.  35 

South  Carolina,  240,  277 

Spain,  133.  201 

spinning:  .jenny,  85 

Spite  Bridg:e,  110 

Sprinfffield,  Mass.,  274 

StaiTard,  229 

State  Constitution,  70 

stationers'  shops,  2 


steam  factory,  86 

St.  Albans.  Vt.,  298 

St.  Eustatia,  97 

St.  Johns',  25 

St.  Martins,  271 

South  America,  201 

stocks,  193 

Stony  Point,  173,  280 

strang-ers'  money,  258 

SUCCESS  brig:,  71 

Sunday  school  libraries,  122 

Sun  Tavern,  Salem,  109 

SWALLOW  schooner,  320 

sword,  23 

Swansey,  316 

lailors,  202 

Tamworth,  N.H.,  118 

tankard,  silver,  37,  267,  296 

tanning:  business,  202 

Tarrantines,  13 

tavern,  179.  316 

temperance,  178,  179 

Temperance  Association,  180 

Thistle's  bridge.  4,  318 

Thorndike  Street,  188 

Ticonderogra.  75,  76 

tinplate  worker,  202 

tin  ware,  200 

Topsfield,  8,  13,  222,  281,  298,  317 

Topsfield  Road,  10 

tories,  54 

Total  Abstinence  Society,  181 

town  hall,  121,  240,  299,  301 

Trafalg:ar.  80 

Trenton,  129,  173,  177 

trunk  and  harness  maker,  202 

Truro,  208 

Tuck's  Point,  1,  13.  318 

Turkish  captivity,  317 

Union  Fire  Society,  186 
Union  Street,  187 
Union  Temperance  Society,  180 
Universalist  Society,  299 
Upper  Beverly  Anti-Slavery 
Society.  184 

vac<'ine.  94 

Valley  Forg:e,  275 

Vermont,  87 

vesto',  240 

Village  Temperance  Society,  180 

Virginia,  16,  19,  240,  277 

Wallis  Street.  188 
Waltham,  129 
War  of  1812,  98.  201 
war  prices,  232 
WARREN  schooner,  313 


Washington  Street,  118,  188,  298 ; 

laid  out  1803  p  321 
Washington  Street  Society,  297 
watch  house,  64,  92,  111 
Watch  house  hUI,  95,  104,  113 
watchmalcer,  202 
Water  Street,  187 
Watertovvn,  129,  150,  318 
Watervllle  College,  287 
Watts  psalms,  255,  266 
Weathersfleld,  Conn.,  293,  294 
Wells,  174 
wells,  5,  38 
wells,  proprietors,  5 
Wenliajn  Pond,  8,  23 
Wenham,  1,  5,  8,  10,  11,  13,  29,  158,  170, 

207,  208,  211,  216,  229,  259,  261,  269, 

274,  281,  284,  288,  296 
Wenham  common,  31 
West  Beach,  2,  67 
West  India  Islands,  33 
West  Indies,  71,  80,  133,  201,  320,  321 
West  India  commodities,  83 
West^  India  trade,  200 


West  Point.  177,  277,  279 

wharves.  83,  201 

wheel wrigrht,  202 

whipping  posts,  193 

Whitehall,  N.Y.,  76 

White  Plains,  100 

Wilmington,  281 

Wilmington,  N.C.,  293 

Wilton,  N.H.,  118 

wind  mill,  6  (Comings') 

Winter  Street,  188 

Winter  Harbor,  317 

witchcraft  delusion,  213 

witchcraft  papers,  215 

witchcraft,  216,  217,  218,  302 

Woodberrys  Point  (Curtis),  2,  14,  11, 

66,  188.  320 
Woodberrys  Head  (fort),  64,  319 
Worcester,  26 

Worcester  Antiquarian  Society,  7 
Wyoming,  277 

Yale  College,  120,  287 
Yarmouth,  N.S.,  391 
Yorktown.  173